A.P. government committed to achieving energy efficiency, says Minister

Minister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh’s first Super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) building at Sagar Nagar in the city on Friday.

He was accompanied by Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, MP M. Sribharat, MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, District Collector M.N. Harendira Prasad, APEPDCL CMD I. Prudhvi Tej, APEPDCL directors and senior officials and other public representatives.

Speaking during a programme organised after the inaugural ceremony, the Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving sustainable development and energy efficiency.

He described the Super ECBC building as a symbol of the State’s dedication to integrating green design into public infrastructure.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy goals and vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Minister asked the power utilities to achieve the target of 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, with at least 10,000 connections in each Assembly constituency.

He emphasised the government’s support to the agriculture sector through nine-hour uninterrupted daytime power supply, especially under the PM-KUSUM scheme promoting solar irrigation.

The Minister noted that the Super ECBC building had been developed as a dedicated training centre for power sector employees, from linemen to engineers, to enhance their skills in advanced technologies.

“Our goal is to make this the top training centre in India,” he said, adding that well-trained staff would help improve field operations and reduce accidents.

The government is committed to extending power supply to remote tribal areas, ensuring that no household is left behind, he said.

Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand said that the Super ECBC building not only showcases energy-efficient infrastructure but also serves as a live demonstration model to promote awareness of ECBC standards.

Designed as a State-level corporate training hub, the facility includes SCADA, RMU, transformer, and meter testing labs, and will cater to employees from linemen to Chief Engineers, including induction training for new recruits.

MP M. Sribharat stressed the importance of speedy implementation of rooftop solar installations and also commended APEPDCL for the successful completion of the Super ECBC building.

APEPDCL CMD I. Prudhvi Tej said that the utility has significantly improved efficiency by reducing AT&C losses from 10.1% to 7.5% and distribution losses from 6.5% to 5.8%.

He noted that over 97% of the 5.54 lakh consumer complaints received have been resolved. Updating on infrastructure and renewable energy efforts, he said tendering process for 220 MW solar plants under the PM-KUSUM scheme is in the final stage. Around 2,000 rooftop installations have been completed under PM Suryaghar scheme in Visakhapatnam, he added.

The Minister handed over compassionate appointment orders to around 20 beneficiaries. Later, he inspected the newly developed SCADA facility at Pedawaltair and visited the Gas Insulated Substation in the city.