Coal news and updates

APGENCO bets big on solar, plans 500-MW plant

Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) aims to generate as much as 508 MW of power through renewable energy sources (solar and wind) by the year 2017-18, said a senior officer from the utility.

The utility is constructing a Rs 5-crore, 5-MW solar plant in West Godavari which is expected to start operation from the middle of 2016, the official said.

In addition, APGENCO plans to set up a 500-MW solar plant in Anantpur, the tendering process of which has already been completed and the decision of the board is being awaited.

The construction work for the plant will commence within two months after the decision is taken by the board, the official said, adding, the estimated investment in the plant would be around Rs 3,000 crore.

Besides the solar plants, the state utility is taking strides in wind power as well where it plants to increase the capacity of its existing 2-MW wind power plant, which was started way back in 1994, to 8 MW at an investment of Rs 50 crore.

The construction work for this plant is slated to finish in December 2016, the official said.