The construction of six new waste-to-energy plants in Andhra Pradesh is scheduled to be completed within two years, according to the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Ponguru Narayana. These plants are part of a broader initiative to manage municipal solid waste more effectively and generate renewable energy across the state.
Waste Management and Renewable Energy Focus
The state government has been prioritizing the scientific processing of municipal solid waste to safeguard the environment, improve urban sanitation, and expand the state’s renewable energy mix. Currently, waste-to-energy plants are operational in Visakhapatnam and Guntur, producing approximately 35 MW of power and processing around 2,800 tonnes of waste daily. With the addition of the six new plants, the total number of waste-to-energy facilities in Andhra Pradesh will increase, significantly enhancing the state’s capacity to handle its daily waste generation.
Details of New Plant Installations
The new facilities are planned for Nellore (Donthali, 12 MW), Kakinada (Rameswaram, 15 MW), Kadapa (Kolumulapalli, 15 MW), and Kurnool (Garveyapuram, 15 MW). Jindal is responsible for setting up the plants in Kakinada and Nellore, while Antony Lara Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. will develop the facilities in Kadapa and Kurnool. These four plants alone are expected to process approximately 3,093 metric tonnes of solid waste daily. Additionally, waste-to-energy projects are also in the tendering stage for Vijayawada and Tirupati, which are anticipated to handle another 1,600 tonnes of solid waste per day. Collectively, when all eight plants are operational, they are projected to process about 7,493 tonnes of waste daily and generate 119 MW of electricity.
Addressing Legacy Waste and Environmental Goals
Minister Narayana has stated that the state aims to become waste-free by December 2025, with plans to clear accumulated legacy waste from the previous government. The previous administration had reportedly left behind nearly 85 lakh metric tonnes of accumulated waste across the state. The new initiative is designed to convert this “waste into wealth,” addressing environmental concerns and contributing to sustainable development.
Power Purchase Agreements and Project Framework
The Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for these new waste-to-energy plants have been formalized, ensuring that the electricity generated will be purchased by the state’s power distribution companies. Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) will procure power from the Nellore, Kadapa, and Kurnool plants, while Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) will procure power from the Kakinada facility. This framework is expected to facilitate the efficient operation and management of these renewable energy projects under a public-private partnership model.
Broader Urban Development Initiatives
The development of these waste-to-energy plants is a significant step in Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to enhancing its solid waste management infrastructure and bolstering its renewable energy capacity, aligning with national goals for cleanliness and sustainability. The projects are expected to be constructed over a timetable of 24 months, commencing from the date of concession signing, PPA execution, or land transfer, whichever occurs later. Once operational, these plants will run under a 20-year concession arrangement.
The Minister also highlighted other urban development initiatives, including the provision of clean drinking water to every household within three years under the AMRUT scheme and the ongoing development of the Amaravati capital city. These efforts underscore the government’s comprehensive approach to improving urban living standards and environmental sustainability across Andhra Pradesh.
The Chenab Times News Desk