Andhra Pradesh govt to set up 'Energy University'

HYDERABAD, July 12: With cooperation and support of Centre, the Andhra Pradesh government is going to establish an 'Energy University' with focus on research orientation and development of energy efficiency, energy conservation, renewable sources. Initially, the 'Energy University' will offer post graduate, PhD and research application courses, an official release said today. The funding for the proposed 'Energy University' will be borne by AP government and power utilities, public sector undertakings such as NTPC, PGCIL, PFC, REC etc, top level and highly reputed private institutions of power sector, for linking the university with the practical and industrial applications, it said. The release further said in order to provide 24x7 quality and reliable power supply to the industrial sector and to achieve self sufficiency in power sector, AP government has decided to give a fillip to the renewable energy sector in the state. The state government is planning to establish 5,030 MW of solar and 4,150 MW of wind energy projects in the next five years to meet future power requirements and protecting environment and ensuring low carbon growth. Accordingly, power utilities have been asked to complete these projects on a mission mode, strictly following the time schedules, it said. The Centre has assured Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that it will dedicate 1,000 MW solar plants in Kurnool district to Andhra Pradesh only, which will immensely benefit the state.