A.P. CM fixes power purchase cost target at ₹4 per unit

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has set a goal for the power sector to reduce the cost of purchasing electricity to ₹4 per unit, without passing on the burden to consumers.

At a high-level review meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister stressed that the financial stability of power utilities must be achieved through better management and reforms, and not increased tariffs.

He directed the officials to accelerate ongoing efforts and come up with a comprehensive strategy to clear the debts through efficiency improvements.

“Though reforms are necessary, the government must ensure that electricity charges remain affordable and that the financial stability of utilities is achieved through better management,” he said.

Mr. Naidu said that Andhra Pradesh is already among the leading States in solar power and should aim to become number one in the country by integrating solar, wind, pumped storage, and battery energy systems.

He advocated setting up an Energy University to promote research, innovation, and skill development in the sector. In addition, he called for the creation of an incubation fund to support startups working on energy innovations, strengthen the Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition and study global best practices in the power sector.

A major thrust of the plan is on renewable energy. Mr. Naidu emphasised expanding rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and encouraging farmers to adopt solar-powered pumpsets through the PM Kusum Scheme.

Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar and senior officials attended the review meeting.