Andhra Pradesh commissions first PM-KUSUM solar plant in Palnadu

The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL) has commissioned its first grid-connected solar power plant under the PM-KUSUM scheme. Located at N. N. (Nehru Nagar) Thanda in the Palnadu district, the 3 MW facility is designed to provide stable daytime electricity to agricultural pump sets by feeding power directly into a local 33/11 kV substation.

This project is part of the Feeder-Level Solarisation programme under Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM). The initiative aims to reduce reliance on conventional energy sources and provide more reliable power for farming activities during daylight hours.

The Palnadu plant marks the beginning of a larger rollout. APCPDCL is working to solarise approximately 65,000 agricultural pump sets, with a planned total capacity of 191.5 MW across four districts. This expansion includes 109 MW in the erstwhile Prakasam district, 42.5 MW in Palnadu, 23 MW in the NTR district, and 17 MW in the Bapatla district.