Latest news with #APEPDCL
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Underground power cables likely to rid Vizag core area of electric poles by December 2026
A large part of power network in the core city area of Visakhapatnam will soon be free of electric poles, if the underground cable laying gets completed as per schedule by December 2026. After witnessing the success of phase I of the underground power cabling, which was undertaken after Cyclone Hudhud laid poles to waste in October 2014, A.P. Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) is currently taking the project forward by laying underground base for a distance of 876 km under phase II at an investment of ₹973 crore as part of the Centre's Renovated Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The RDSS is aimed to improve the performance and efficiency of power sector in the country. The objectives include reducing AT&C (Integrated Technical and Commercial) losses, improving the quality and reliability of power supply and making the power distribution sector financially sustainable. Phase II was sanctioned last year, but work only began this financial year. Unlike the phase I, which provided underground network for 33kV, 11kV and LT lines, the phase II will cover only 33kV and 11kV lines up to the end of distribution transformers. The total project cost has been divided into ₹340 crore for the 33kV line and ₹633 crore for the 11kV line. The works, began in the summer of 2025, progressed well with no rain hampering it. During this southwest monsoon, progress could be slowed or the work interrupted. However, the authorities plan to expedite the work after the onset of winter, completing the project by December 2026. Speaking to The Hindu, APEPDCL superintending engineer for Visakhapatnanm district G. Shyambabu said only 33kV and 11kV lines will be covered in phase II. 'We will not take up LT lines (i.e. supply to domestic consumers) as was done in phase I. The underground cables were laid on every street and corner in phase I. However, proposals have been sent to the higher-ups to include the LT lines as well.'
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
AP's pioneering energy-efficient bldg nearing completion
Visakhapatnam: It pays well to optimise and economise energy consumption, instead of ranting at authorities every time power charges are raised. The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has come up with the first-of-its-kind energy-efficient building in Visakhapatnam that can slash power consumption by 50 per cent or even more, redefining architectural design and integrating innovation and sustainability. The Super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) structure, built at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam and targeted to save energy by at least 50 per cent compared to conventional buildings, is nearing completion. Constructed in an area of 14,400-sq. ft by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with the APEPDCL and the Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM), the Rs.13 crore-project is backed by the BEE with a grant of Rs.5 crore. From windows that control sunlight and filter heat to cavity walls, false ceiling to air conditioners and ripple-AC-brick structure, several innovative features have been built into the innovative structure. The cavity walls include an eight-inch outer wall and four-inch inner wall. Between them there is a four-inch air gap. In addition, a 50-KW powered solar plant has been installed on the premises to ensure optimum utilisation of renewable energy. The project serves as a shining example of sustainable development in a big way. Chairman and Managing Director of the APEPDCL Prudhvi Tej Immadi emphasised, while talking to The Hans India, that the Super ECBC structure not just sets a new trend for energy-efficient development in the state, but also contributes significantly to the broader target of promoting sustainability and conserving the environment. An official from the APEPDCL shared with The Hans India that, considering that the architectural designs of the pioneering structure are not just innovative but also energy-efficient, there was scope for the building to bag an award in future. The Super ECBC building plays a key role in mitigating environmental challenges and catering to rising energy demands. They aid in slashing energy consumption as well as emissions and contribute significantly to sustainability and resilience. Besides, the structure offers economic advantages through lower operating costs and enhanced property APEPDCL has plans to utilise the two-floored structure to facilitate a host of training sessions for its employees spread over 11 districts under its jurisdiction.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Simhachalam ‘Giri Pradakshina' to be held in Vizag on July 9
The annual 'Giri Pradakshina' of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will be held at Simhachalam on July 9, temple Executive Officer V. Trinadh Rao announced at a meeting on Friday. He conducted a review meeting to discuss the arrangements to be made for the annual festival, which witnesses the participation of lakhs of devotees from various parts of Andhra Pradesh every year. As a part of the rituals, devotees walk along a 32-km stretch from Tholipavancha at Simhachalam foothills and cover Adavivaram, Hanumanthawaka, Jodugullapalem, MVP Double Road, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, NGGOs Colony, Murali Nagar, Madhavadhara, Gopalapatnam before returning Simhachalam. During the meeting, Mr. Trinadh Rao directed Executive Engineer B. Rambabu to coordinate with various departments, including police, health, fire, APEPDCL, APSRTC, and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), as well as with various NGOs, to initiate the works. He stated that officials must ensure that all basic amenities are provided to devotees participating in the trek. The temple EO said that the Simhachalam Devasthanam will arrange stalls surrounding the hill for the convenience of devotees. 'The temple officials should take the help of the GVMC to maintain sanitation during teh festival, he said. He stated that another meeting would be conducted soon to discuss the arrangements for teh festival.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
3 lakh rooftop solar connections by end of June
Vijayawada: The chief secretary K Vijayanand has directed the authorities of power distribution companies and non-conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (NREDCAP) to collectively achieve the target of providing three lakh rooftop solar connections by the end of June. He said that each discom is assigned with a target of 75,000 connections, while NREDCAP will also execute 75,000 connections. Vijayanand took stock of the progress of the rooftop solar connections targets and progress with the senior officials here on Thursday. He instructed that a detailed action plan be submitted immediately for effective monitoring of the progress. He said that he would review the progress on a weekly basis and emphasised the importance of creating widespread public awareness about the PM Surya Ghar, Muft Bijli Yojana. He advised officials to take up targeted outreach activities. The chief secretary said that the state is leading India's clean energy transition by actively promoting rooftop solar installations. He said that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu set an ambitious target of installing 20 lakh rooftop solar units by the end of 2025 and it should be achieved at any cost. He also stressed the need to widely publicise PM Surya Ghar among SC and ST beneficiaries as setting up two-kilowatt rooftop units will be entirely free for them as per the scheme. He also urged to create awareness among Backward Class (BC) households, as govt is offering a total subsidy of 80,000, comprising 60,000 from the Centre and an additional 20,000 from state govt towards the total rooftop solar installation cost of 1.2 lakh under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. He directed that one model village should be developed in each district making a total of 26 villages statewide as demonstration sites for effective implementation of the scheme. He also stressed the need for discoms and NREDCAP to coordinate with banks to establish formal tie-ups specifically for the execution of these model villages. Vijayanand said that state received about 12.1 lakh registrations on the PM Surya Ghar portal. APEPDCL received 85,711applications and APCPDCL recorded 5.3 lakh registrations while APSPDCL registered 5.9 lakh applications. He asked the discoms CMDs to put in all-out efforts to achieve the set PM Surya Ghar targets before the scheduled timelines, emphasising the importance of timely and efficient execution. The chief secretary said that around 5.9 lakh SC/ST households have been identified for coverage under this initiative, with a projected rooftop solar capacity of 1,174 MWp and an expected annual power generation of 1,743 million units. "Each eligible household will be provided with a 2 kWp rooftop solar system, which is to be commissioned within six months from the issuance of the letter of award (LOA). The systems will also be maintained at no cost to the beneficiaries for a period of five years", he added. Prudhvi Tej, CMD/APEPDCL, K Santosha Rao, CMD/APSPDCL, and P Pulla Reddy CMD/APCPDCL were present at the review meeting.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
AP Power Utilities targets providing 3L rooftop solar connections by June 2025
Vijayawada: State Chief Secretary and Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand has conducted a detailed review meeting with the officials of PEPDCL, APCPDCL, and APSPDCL on the implementation status of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in Andhra Pradesh at CS Camp office in Vijayawada on Thursday. During the meeting participated by CMD/APEPDCL Prudhvi Tej, CMD/APSPDCL, K Santosha Rao and CMD/APCPDCL P Pulla Reddy, the Special Chief Secretary Energy stated that Andhra Pradesh is leading India's clean energy transition by actively promoting rooftop solar installations across the state. He said that the state government has set an ambitious target of installing 20 lakh rooftop solar units by the end of 2025 .The Special Chief Secretary directed the DISCOMs and NREDCAP to collectively achieve the target of providing three lakh rooftop solar connections by the end of June 2025. Each DISCOM is assigned a target of 75,000 connections, while NREDCAP will also execute 75,000 connections. He instructed that a detailed action plan be submitted immediately and announced that the progress will be reviewed on a weekly basis. He also stressed the need to widely publicize PM Surya Ghar among SC and ST beneficiaries as setting up 2-kilowatt rooftop units will be entirely free for them as per the scheme. He also urged to create awareness among Backward Class (BC) households, as the government is offering a total subsidy of Rs 80,000 comprising Rs 60,000 from the Central government and an additional Rs 20,000 from the State government towards the total rooftop solar installation cost of Rs 1.2 lakh under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The Special Chief Secretary reviewed the implementation progress of the scheme and noted that Andhra Pradesh has so far recorded 12.12 lakh registrations on the PM Surya Ghar portal. APEPDCL received 85,711applications and APCPDCL recorded 5.34 lakh registrations while APSPDCL registered 5.92 lakh applications. The Special CS said that around 5.87 lakh SC/ST households have been identified for coverage under this initiative, with a projected rooftop solar capacity of 1,174 MWp and an expected annual power generation of 1,743 million units. 'Each eligible household will be provided with a 2 kWp rooftop solar system, which is to be commissioned within six months from the issuance of the Letter of Award (LOA). K Vijayanand directed DISCOMs to expedite the implementation of PM SuryaGhar Scheme and reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding clean energy access to all eligible households in Andhra Pradesh through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
