Telangana Targets 20,000 MW Solar Capacity by 2030, Says Deputy CM Bhatti
Khammam, June 7 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said the state government has drawn up a comprehensive roadmap to generate 20,000 MW of solar power by 2030, as part of its long-term strategy to meet growing energy demand and promote renewable energy.
Speaking after inaugurating a 33/11 KV power substation at Pakabanda in Khammam district, the Deputy Chief Minister said Telangana is steadily moving towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
He said the government has launched a pilot project to convert around 85 villages into fully solar-powered villages and is also working towards achieving 100 per cent solarisation of agricultural pump sets in two mandals through rooftop solar systems.
Bhatti recalled that many tribal farmers who received land under the Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) Act were unable to cultivate their lands due to the lack of electricity infrastructure.
To address the issue, the government has launched the Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam Scheme, under which solar-powered irrigation facilities will be provided for nearly six lakh acres of land, enabling tribal and rural farmers to undertake cultivation more effectively.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the Electricity Department is continuously upgrading infrastructure and adopting modern technologies to provide consumers with reliable and high-quality power supply.
He noted that electricity demand has increased significantly across Telangana over the past two years and that the state has successfully met the growing requirement without imposing power cuts.
“Rising electricity demand is an indicator of development, as productive sectors such as industry, agriculture and households are closely linked to power consumption,” he said.
According to Bhatti, Telangana’s peak power demand stood at around 15,000 MW in 2023, but has now increased to 18,548 MW, registering a rise of more than 3,500 MW within two-and-a-half years. He attributed the increase to higher household consumption, greater use of air conditioners and expanding economic activity.
The Deputy Chief Minister said upcoming projects such as the Musi River rejuvenation programme, Future City, Pharma City, industrial corridors, data centres and expansion of the IT sector are expected to further increase electricity demand in the coming years.
To meet future requirements, the government is proactively planning new power infrastructure and accelerating the transition from conventional energy sources to renewable energy.
Bhatti also reiterated the government’s vision of transforming Telangana into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, stating that achieving this objective would require annual economic growth of around 13.5 per cent, accompanied by a corresponding expansion in power generation capacity.
He said that despite the sharp rise in demand, Telangana has maintained uninterrupted power supply throughout the state, even during peak summer months when several other states faced shortages and outages.
Referring to Telangana’s power management, he remarked that a friend had described the state as “The State That Did Not Blink”, highlighting the absence of even momentary power interruptions due to effective planning and management.
Observing the rapid expansion of Khammam city, Bhatti directed officials to undertake a comprehensive assessment of future power requirements and submit proposals for additional substations wherever necessary.
The government, he said, would sanction new 33/11 KV and higher-capacity substations immediately to prevent future shortages.
Highlighting support extended to the farming sector, the Deputy Chief Minister said the state provides free electricity to nearly 30 lakh agricultural pump sets. To sustain the programme, the Finance Department reimburses power utilities approximately ₹1,150 crore every month, amounting to nearly ₹14,000 crore annually.
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, District Collector Divakara T.S., SUDA Chairman Puvvalla Durgaprasad, Warehousing Corporation Chairman Rayala Nageswara Rao and other dignitaries attended the programme.
TNT TS
