HYDERABAD: As many as 79 potential locations have been identified in the tribal areas of the State, especially in Visakhapatnam agency, for construction of mini hydel projects by the Andhra Pradesh Tribal Power Company Limited (AP Tripco)

AP Tripco was formed recently to harness water sources in the forests by setting up such projects and plough back the benefits to tribals. An installed capacity of 142.8 MW can be created from these 79 locations at waterfalls and hill streams.

AP Tripco has prepared project reports for tapping 21 locations by creating 26.21 MW capacity at a cost of Rs 139.23 crores.

The Union Ministry of Renewable Energy has cleared three projects at Vetamamidi, Pinjarikonda, Metlapalem, all in Visakhapatnam district covered by the Rampachodavaram-based Integrated Tribal Development Agency. They will have an installed capacity of 1.2 MW each.

The Ministry is coming in aid of the tribals in a big way. The outlay of each project is estimated at over Rs. 6 crores.

Subsidy to be given

Sixty per cent of this is being met by the Ministry via subsidy. The construction cost works out to around Rs. 5 crores a MW but this is not considered high in view of the stupendous task to be performed to create the infrastructure to generate power deep in the forests.

Per unit price

Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited which signed power purchase agreements with the three projects recently is likely to offer a price of Rs 2.49 a unit.

The mini-hydel units will function only for six months in a year depending on the water availability in the streams, etc. but the price is seen sufficient to ensure an annual income of Rs. 1 crore to each projectand through them to the tribals.

Panels to monitor

Committees have been formed with tribals, especially women of self-help groups, to operate and maintain the projects.

AP Tripco plans to complete the three projects by the onset of 2007 monsoon.

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