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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
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.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
First energy-efficient building of Andhra Pradesh to be inaugurated in Vizag today
The first super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) building of Andhra Pradesh, constructed at a cost of ₹14 crore in Sagar Nagar will be inaugurated by Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on June 27. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has sponsored the building with a capital expenditure of ₹5 crore. Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) built it to conduct training camps for the discom staff from 11 districts. This G+2 building has two floors of 14,400 sft each. 'Constructed on the energy efficiency model and equipped with energy-efficient appliances, the building will help save electricity bills,' APEPDCL CMD I. Prudhvitej said. The four important energy-efficiency components of the building are sunlight management with proper window dimensions, use of star-rated electrical appliances, variable refrigerant volume AC and renewable energy systems. All the walls are constructed with cavity walls (walls constructed with two layers of masonry). The outer wall is 8 inches, while the inner wall is 4 inches, with an air gap of 4 inches. With a total wall of 16 inches, triple AAC blocks have been used. Similarly, the windows have also been constructed with three layers of glass panels with a six-inch gap between panels. An under-deck ceiling has been used. A 50 mm rock wood has been used in ceiling, with an air gap between the layers. 'A 50 kW solar roof-top panel has been installed on this building. It is a unique and first such model in the State,' Mr. Prudhvitej said. A senior BEE official from New Delhi told The Hindu that the ECBC was designed to improve energy efficiency in new commercial buildings across the country, and was launched by the Ministry of Power in May 2007. The ECBC sets minimum energy standards for new commercial buildings with a contract demand of 100 kW or 120 kVA or more. At present, the commercial building sector in India is expanding rapidly at over 9% per annum due to strong growth in the services sector. 'Considering the high growth rate in the commercial building sector, the BEE has introduced the ECBC as a voluntary policy measure to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment,' the BEE official said. The targeted beneficiaries of the ECBC are mostly urban local bodies, corporations, power utilities, architects, engineers, builders, firms, developers and even civil engineering students, he added.
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Underground power cables likely to rid Vizag core area of electric poles by December 2026
A large part of power network in the core city area of Visakhapatnam will soon be free of electric poles, if the underground cable laying gets completed as per schedule by December 2026. After witnessing the success of phase I of the underground power cabling, which was undertaken after Cyclone Hudhud laid poles to waste in October 2014, A.P. Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) is currently taking the project forward by laying underground base for a distance of 876 km under phase II at an investment of ₹973 crore as part of the Centre's Renovated Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The RDSS is aimed to improve the performance and efficiency of power sector in the country. The objectives include reducing AT&C (Integrated Technical and Commercial) losses, improving the quality and reliability of power supply and making the power distribution sector financially sustainable. Phase II was sanctioned last year, but work only began this financial year. Unlike the phase I, which provided underground network for 33kV, 11kV and LT lines, the phase II will cover only 33kV and 11kV lines up to the end of distribution transformers. The total project cost has been divided into ₹340 crore for the 33kV line and ₹633 crore for the 11kV line. The works, began in the summer of 2025, progressed well with no rain hampering it. During this southwest monsoon, progress could be slowed or the work interrupted. However, the authorities plan to expedite the work after the onset of winter, completing the project by December 2026. Speaking to The Hindu, APEPDCL superintending engineer for Visakhapatnanm district G. Shyambabu said only 33kV and 11kV lines will be covered in phase II. 'We will not take up LT lines (i.e. supply to domestic consumers) as was done in phase I. The underground cables were laid on every street and corner in phase I. However, proposals have been sent to the higher-ups to include the LT lines as well.'
Hans India
01-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
AP's pioneering energy-efficient bldg nearing completion
Visakhapatnam: It pays well to optimise and economise energy consumption, instead of ranting at authorities every time power charges are raised. The Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has come up with the first-of-its-kind energy-efficient building in Visakhapatnam that can slash power consumption by 50 per cent or even more, redefining architectural design and integrating innovation and sustainability. The Super Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) structure, built at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam and targeted to save energy by at least 50 per cent compared to conventional buildings, is nearing completion. Constructed in an area of 14,400-sq. ft by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with the APEPDCL and the Andhra Pradesh State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM), the Rs.13 crore-project is backed by the BEE with a grant of Rs.5 crore. From windows that control sunlight and filter heat to cavity walls, false ceiling to air conditioners and ripple-AC-brick structure, several innovative features have been built into the innovative structure. The cavity walls include an eight-inch outer wall and four-inch inner wall. Between them there is a four-inch air gap. In addition, a 50-KW powered solar plant has been installed on the premises to ensure optimum utilisation of renewable energy. The project serves as a shining example of sustainable development in a big way. Chairman and Managing Director of the APEPDCL Prudhvi Tej Immadi emphasised, while talking to The Hans India, that the Super ECBC structure not just sets a new trend for energy-efficient development in the state, but also contributes significantly to the broader target of promoting sustainability and conserving the environment. An official from the APEPDCL shared with The Hans India that, considering that the architectural designs of the pioneering structure are not just innovative but also energy-efficient, there was scope for the building to bag an award in future. The Super ECBC building plays a key role in mitigating environmental challenges and catering to rising energy demands. They aid in slashing energy consumption as well as emissions and contribute significantly to sustainability and resilience. Besides, the structure offers economic advantages through lower operating costs and enhanced property APEPDCL has plans to utilise the two-floored structure to facilitate a host of training sessions for its employees spread over 11 districts under its jurisdiction.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Simhachalam ‘Giri Pradakshina' to be held in Vizag on July 9
The annual 'Giri Pradakshina' of the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy will be held at Simhachalam on July 9, temple Executive Officer V. Trinadh Rao announced at a meeting on Friday. He conducted a review meeting to discuss the arrangements to be made for the annual festival, which witnesses the participation of lakhs of devotees from various parts of Andhra Pradesh every year. As a part of the rituals, devotees walk along a 32-km stretch from Tholipavancha at Simhachalam foothills and cover Adavivaram, Hanumanthawaka, Jodugullapalem, MVP Double Road, HB Colony, Seethammadhara, NGGOs Colony, Murali Nagar, Madhavadhara, Gopalapatnam before returning Simhachalam. During the meeting, Mr. Trinadh Rao directed Executive Engineer B. Rambabu to coordinate with various departments, including police, health, fire, APEPDCL, APSRTC, and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), as well as with various NGOs, to initiate the works. He stated that officials must ensure that all basic amenities are provided to devotees participating in the trek. The temple EO said that the Simhachalam Devasthanam will arrange stalls surrounding the hill for the convenience of devotees. 'The temple officials should take the help of the GVMC to maintain sanitation during teh festival, he said. He stated that another meeting would be conducted soon to discuss the arrangements for teh festival.
