Telangana Govt Aims for Green Power Revolution: Bhatti

Bhatti Vikramarka said that when the previous government came to power in 2014, the state’s peak electricity demand was only 15,497 MW, whereas it had reached 19,543 MW as of September 9. He said the demand was likely to rise to 20,000–21,000 MW this year due to various factors. Keeping future requirements in mind, the government introduced the new policy by integrating both conventional and non-conventional energy sources, he said.

Responding to the issue of pumped storage raised by Council member Komurayya, the Deputy Chief Minister said the concept was not new and recalled that it had been successfully implemented at Nagarjuna Sagar during the Congress regime.

He said preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for such projects would take around 1.5 to 2 years, while bringing them into commercial operation could take 5 to 8 years. So far, 10 proponents have come forward to establish pumped storage projects in the state, he said, adding that permissions would be granted as per the policy guidelines after the DPRs are submitted.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the government had decided to provide 2,000 MW of solar power to farmers under the PM-KUSUM scheme. Farmers are being encouraged to establish solar plants of 2 MW each, he said. A pilot project for complete solarisation has already been completed and commissioned in the Mannanur area (Upper Plateau) of Achampet constituency, he added.

Bhatti Vikramarka said the government spends ₹14,000 crore annually to provide free power to 29 lakh agricultural pump sets and another ₹5,000 crore to provide up to 200 units of free electricity to 53 lakh domestic consumers. Thus, the government is spending nearly ₹19,000 crore every year merely on power subsidies, he explained. If these funds are gradually redirected towards solarisation, the burden on the state exchequer can be reduced while farmers can move towards greater self-reliance, he said.

As solar power is available during the daytime but not at night, the government is developing micro-grids equipped with battery storage systems in selected villages, the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He said pilot projects combining solar power and battery storage to supply electricity to villages through micro-grids had already been taken up. Although the Centre provided Viability Gap Funding (VGF), three rounds of tenders were invited, but contractors did not come forward because of the high cost of battery storage systems. He expressed the hope that these projects would gain momentum in the future as technology advances and battery prices decline.

Compared with other states, land prices in Telangana are relatively high, ranging from ₹20 lakh to more than ₹25 lakh per acre, making solar power projects financially less viable for investors, he said. The government is also studying the limited wind power potential around the Parigi region and will invite tenders soon, he added.

The government is fully encouraging Compressed Biogas (CBG) projects, Bhatti Vikramarka said, recalling that the foundation stone for a plant had recently been laid in Karimnagar. He said the methane gas project undertaken by Singareni at Manuguru was found to be economically unviable because of its high cost. However, the government is studying the possibilities of coal gasification, he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also revealed that the government had entered into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for setting up solar power projects by DWCRA women’s Self-Help Groups under SERP, by leasing temple and government lands.

Regarding the maintenance of solar street lights in local bodies, he said the responsibility rests with the Panchayat Raj and Municipal Administration departments. However, responding to the suggestions made by Council members, he assured the House that the matter would be reviewed with the concerned officials and steps would be taken to restore non-functional street lights.

Bhatti Vikramarka said the government had taken note of the constructive suggestions made by Legislative Council members and would make every possible effort to implement them wherever feasible.