Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister announces no power tariff hike and green energy initiatives

Andhra Pradesh energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Friday stated that as per chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's directive, there will be no hike in power tariffs, and efforts are underway to reduce electricity charges before the next general elections.

He described the newly inaugurated Super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) facility as a symbol of Andhra Pradesh's drive to integrate green design into public infrastructure — an essential step toward meeting rising energy demands and tackling environmental challenges.

The minister, accompanied by chief secretary K Vijayanand, inaugurated the state's first Super ECBC-compliant building, constructed by EPDCL at Sagar Nagar in Vizag. He emphasised the goal of achieving 20 lakh rooftop solar connections — at least 10,000 in every Assembly constituency — to further the state's renewable energy mission.

Highlighting the govt's agricultural focus, the minister reaffirmed the promise of 9-hour uninterrupted daytime power supply for farmers, especially under the PM-KUSUM scheme for solar irrigation. He announced that the Super ECBC building would serve as a national-level training hub for power sector employees, aiming to reduce field accidents and improve operations through advanced technical skills.Underscoring the govt's welfare push, he said 180 compassionate appointments had been made in the last 18 months, and reiterated efforts to extend electricity access to tribal and remote areas.Chief secretary K Vijayanand noted that the Super ECBC building would act as a live demonstration model to promote awareness around energy-efficient infrastructure. He proposed setting up a dedicated governing body to oversee its effective utilisation.The govt remains committed to providing 24x7 quality power. "Despite peak summer demand reaching 13,000 MW, the state met daily consumption of 254 MU. Under PM-KUSUM, 3 lakh solar pump connections are planned, alongside free rooftop solar installations for 20 lakh SC/ST households, and additional subsidies for 20,000 BC families," Vijayanand said.Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat stressed expediting rooftop solar implementation. Local MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao noted that EPDCL reports the lowest power pilferage levels in the state, vital for Vizag's growth as an economic hub.EPDCL CMD Immadi Prudhvi Tej shared that AT&C losses were reduced from 10.1 per cent to 7.5 per cent, while distribution losses dropped from 6.5 per cent to 5.8 per cent. He added that 97 per cent of 5.54 lakh consumer complaints were resolved. Updates included 2,000 rooftop solar installations under PM Suryaghar and progress on infrastructure upgrades such as underground cabling and substation commissioning under RDSS. Free electricity connections are also underway in tribal areas under the PM JANMAN initiative.MLC V Chiranjivi Rao, Visakhapatnam collector MN Harendira Prasad, APEPDCL directors, and other public representatives were in attendance.