Will procure about 2000 mw power from SECI next FY: AP

PTI Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh power distribution companies have decided to procure about 2,000 mw of power from SECI out of the total 7000 mw in demand for the agricultural sector for the next fiscal, as per the latest filing by these companies with the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission. The move comes weeks after the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) agreement with Andhra discoms became controversial after the US charged Adani Group chairman GautamAdani in a years-long scheme to allegedly pay USD 250 million bribe to Indian officials including those from Andhra, in exchange for favourable solar power contracts in 2021 when the YSRCP was in power.

The allegation has been refuted by the Indian conglomerate. The opposition YSRCP has also dismissed the charges. According to the filings, Aggregate Revenue Requirement and Tariff Proposal for the Retail Supply Business for FY 2025-26 by Southern Power Distribution Company of AP Ltd (SPDCL), Eastern Power Distribution Company Of Andhra Pradesh Ltd and Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (CPDCL), on November 30, the utilities i n f o r m e d the APERC that they intend to purchase power on behalf of AP Rural Agriculture Power Ltd (APRAPL).

The state government had earlier established APRAPL to channelise the solar power procured from SECI for the purpose of free supply to agriculture consumers. The entity is in the process of obtaining a license and fulfilling the other establishment activities. Subsequent for full operationalising, the power sale agreement (PSA) will be transferred f rom AP DISCOMs to APRAPL for supply of power to agricultural consumers. According to the filings, all three discoms have proposed to purchase 4191 million units during the next financial year. AP Energy department officials were not availble or comment.