Power-Hit Farmers in AP to Get Solar Pump-Sets

APEPDCL officials explaining about solar pump sets in Srikakulam on Saturday.

Move to overcome problems faced due to a huge gap in demand and supply

The State government decided to supply solar pump-sets on subsidised prices to overcome the power crisis being faced by farmers due to a huge gap in demand and supply. The Union government has allocated 1,000 pump-sets to both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The residuary State of AP would get around 6,00 sets each costing Rs.3.50 lakh to Rs.5 lakh based on its capacity. However, the farmers would get subsidy up to 70 per cent based on their reservation category. The pump-sets will be supplied to farmers of Scheduled Castes in the areas where Indira Jalaprabha scheme was being implemented.

APEPDCL Superintending Engineer P.V.V. Satyanarayana, New and Renewable Development Corporation of A.P District Manager M.V.K. Raju and other officials said that the pump-sets would be useful for farmers to get assured water for their fields. The pump-sets would be a great boon as energy is stored for many days and could be utilized whenever necessary.

“The solar pump-sets would be useful in places where electricity is not available. These will function for 20 years without any interruption. NREDCAP will provide support for their maintenance.” said Mr. Raju.

Mr. Satyanarayana told media persons that Agriculture Department, District Water Management Agency and other departments were also promoting solar pump-sets for agriculture purpose.

Deputy Director of Agriculture Bhavani Sankar Rao said the solar pump-sets which were installed in Seethampet mandal were working very well.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/powerhit-farmers-to-get-solar-pumpsets/article6158260.ece