AP farmers to get 7,000 subsidised solar-powered pump sets

Hyderabad, Jan 9: The government of Andhra Pradesh is planning to install at least 7,000 solar-powered agricultural pump sets across the state in the current financial year to minimise pressure on the power grid, according to a senior official. Vice Chairman and Managing Director of New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) Kamalakar Babu revealed that farmers in the state are to be given solar-powered pump sets at a subsidised price. Speaking to media persons, Kamalakar Babu explained that the cost of a 5HP pump set is Rs 4.90 lakhs, of which a farmer need to pay just Rs 55,000 and the rest will be jointly borne by the Andhra Pradesh Power Distribution Company and the Union government. The cost of a 3HP pump set is Rs 3.20 lakhs, of which the farmers need to pay Rs 40,000 as their share, Babu said and added that the scheme is being promoted by NREDCAP, APPDC, agriculture and allied departments.