Telangana power utility crosses 100 MW solar milestone, plans 300 MW

Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited has crossed 100 MW of solar-generation capacity under the PM-KUSUM-A programme across its 18 circles, the utility said on Thursday. In a statement, Chairman and Managing Director Karnati Varun Reddy said the milestone reflected TGNPDCL’s focus on expanding renewable energy and developing a more sustainable power system. Under PM-KUSUM-A, farmers can establish solar plants on their land and supply surplus electricity to the grid.

According to TGNPDCL, the arrangement is intended to create additional income for farmers while increasing renewable power availability locally and reducing dependence on conventional sources. Reddy credited officials, engineers and field staff with implementing projects across all 18 circles. He directed officials to maintain the pace of development and accelerate work on additional solar capacity.

The company said another 200 MW of solar capacity was at various stages of development. That would bring the total planned capacity under the expansion to about 300 MW. TGNPDCL is targeting grid integration of the entire 300 MW within the next three to four months, Reddy said.

The statement did not specify how much of the additional 200 MW had reached construction, commissioning or connection stages. The utility said the expansion would serve two purposes: providing farmers with another potential income stream and strengthening its renewable-energy portfolio. The source material did not give the number of participating farmers, the location of individual plants or the investment involved.

The 100 MW milestone covers projects implemented under PM-KUSUM-A in TGNPDCL’s 18 operational circles. The company said the planned expansion was part of its effort to increase renewable generation and support the local power supply system.