NTPC signs MoU for 1000 MW solar power park in Andhra Pradesh

National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Andhra Pradesh for developing 1000 MW solar power park in the state.

The state government has allotted 5,500 acres to NTPC for setting up a 1000 MW solar park in Kadiri in Anantapur, wherein the power utility proposes to invest about Rs7,000 crore.

Besides NTPC Limited, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVNL), and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SRCI) will be signing separate agreements with Andhra Pradesh government for setting up large solar power generation parks of about 1000 MW each.

NVVNL has been allotted 5,000 acres at Panyam in Kurnool district with similar outlay and SECI, APGenco and Discoms have been allotted 3,000 acres in Kadapa district.

Briefing newspersons after a meeting of the state cabinet, information and IT minister Palle Raghunath Reddy said the cabinet has approved land allotments to these companies.

The signing ceremony along with another memorandum on 'Power for All' initiative of the central government is expected to be inked as part of the Naidu government's initiatives in the first 100 days of governance.

As per the MoU, NTPC will develop 1000 MW solar power projects at sites identified by the Andhra Pradesh government on build-own-operate (BOO) basis, in a phased manner.

The documents for transfer of land for 4000 MW Pudipadaka Thermal Power Project were also handed over to NTPC on the occasion.

The project proposed at Pudimadaka, located close to Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh, has been pending for years as there was no fuel linkage, which is key to implementing the project.