NOB- Andhra Pradesh news: The government has accelerated the process of setting up solar projects in AP. It has sent proposals to the Center for setting up 1185 MW projects under the PM Kusum scheme. The DISCOMs have identified 5983 acres of land required for this. The subsidy burden on the government will be reduced to some extent with the establishment of solar power projects. In Andhra Pradesh, in the tenders for setting up mini solar power projects along feeders under the PM Kusum scheme, the contractors have quoted a minimum price of Rs. 3.19 and a maximum price of Rs. 3.60 per unit. DISCOMs had called for circle-wise tenders for setting up 1185.80 MW projects under this scheme in March 2025 year. They will be allotted to contractors soon. The central government has set a target of completing the projects by March 2026 year. In view of this, the officials have expedited the process of allocating projects. Lands of 5983 acres have already been identified for these. The state government has proposed projects to generate electricity for 3 lakh agricultural connections in the first phase under PM Kusum. For this, the government has sent DPRs to the center for setting up 1185 MW projects. Later, the government’s idea is to take permission for projects for another 2 lakh connections. The government intends to make 3725 MW of mini solar power projects available in phases. The tender process has been initiated for the setting up of the projects proposed in the first phase. The center will provide Rs. 1.04 crore per megawatt as a subsidy for the projects set up under this scheme. DISCOM has invited tenders for setting up 610 MW projects in 9 circles under SPDCL. 3055 acres of government and private lands have been identified for setting up projects in Sri Sathya Sai, Anantapur, Nandyal, Kurnool, Nellore, Tirupati, Chittoor, Annamayya and Kadapa circles. 1842 acres of government and private lands have been identified for setting up 355.50 MW generation projects in 4 circles under CPDCL. 1086.5 acres have been identified for setting up 220.30 MW projects under EPDCL. The state government is currently paying around Rs. 12,000 crores as subsidy to DISCOMs annually to provide free electricity to agricultural connections. The establishment of mini solar power projects will reduce the subsidy burden on the government to some extent. Currently, the average price per unit, including current purchase, maintenance costs, supply and distribution losses, for DISCOMs is seven and a half rupees. Under PM Kusum, the contracting companies have quoted only a maximum of Rs. 3.60 per unit. Accordingly, the government will have a surplus of Rs. 3.90 per unit. Officials say that since the projects are located near the feeder, supply losses will be further reduced.