ONGOLE: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar urged people to adopt solar rooftop units to tackle rising electricity consumption and reduce power costs, stating that renewable energy is the best alternative to conventional sources.
During his visit to Mallampeta Colony in Donakonda mandal of Darsi constituency on Monday, the Minister inaugurated solar rooftop units installed for 44 SC families under the ‘PM Surya Ghar’ scheme.
He urged people to embrace new technologies and said each rooftop solar unit can generate around 300 units of electricity.
He said `30.39 crore has been allocated for implementing the scheme in Darsi constituency and added that free solar units are being installed for six lakh SC and ST families across AP.
The Minister said the coalition government led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has not increased tariffs and instead reduced charges by 13 paise through true-down adjustments. He said the government is taking measures to further reduce electricity costs.
Referring to rural electrification, Ravi Kumar said 611 ST families in the forest region of Palutla in Yerragondapalem constituency have received free solar and battery storage units to ensure power supply in areas where laying lines is not feasible due to forest restrictions.
He said that of the one crore solar connections approved nationwide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 20 lakh connections have been allotted to Andhra Pradesh.
Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the Minister said works worth Rs 8,000 crore are being implemented across the state for new power lines, poles and infrastructure. He said Rs 147 crore has been sanctioned for Darsi constituency, with works worth Rs 115 crore completed.
He said that under the PM Kusum scheme, farmers will soon receive nine hours of daytime solar power, with solar plants to be set up near 11 KV lines. He added that if government land is unavailable, private land will be leased.
He assured that pending agricultural connections will be provided before next cropping season and that substations are being constructed to ensure uninterrupted power supply without low voltage issues.
The Minister said Rs 500 crore has been allocated for the Veligonda project under the Chief Minister’s special focus. He assured that new pensions and housing will be provided to eligible beneficiaries based on financial feasibility and urged people to support the coalition government’s efforts in development and welfare.