Draft Ninth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) Andhra Pradesh Volume-II (Sectoral Programmes) 4. Energy

Abstract

The Draft Ninth Five-Year Plan (1997-2002) for Andhra Pradesh provides a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening the state’s energy sector to support economic development and improve living standards. Recognizing energy as a critical driver of industrial growth, the plan addresses both generation and distribution capacities while ensuring reliability for agricultural and urban consumers. Reviewing the performance of the Eighth Plan, which faced monsoon-related hydel power deficits but exceeded rural electrification targets, the Ninth Plan sets ambitious projections with peak demand estimated at 10,536 MW by 2001-2002, necessitating an installed capacity of over 15,000 MW. Key project proposals include major hydropower initiatives such as Srisailam (6,130 MW), Nagarjunasagar (1,670 MW), and Upper Sileru (150 MW), alongside thermal power projects like Rayalaseema (1,000 MW), Kothagudem (2,400 MW), and Visakhapatnam (1,000 MW), supported by an estimated outlay of ₹1,123,789 lakhs. The plan also emphasizes renewable energy development through wind, solar, and biomass projects, integrating environmental safeguards to promote sustainability. Strategic investments target not only energy generation but also rural electrification and industrial support, ensuring economic growth, employment generation, and ecological balance. Overall, the plan reflects Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to modernizing its energy infrastructure, balancing conventional and non-conventional sources, and creating a resilient, environmentally conscious, and inclusive energy framework for the state’s future.