AP big player in green energy

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu took centre stage at the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investment Meet (REINVEST 2024), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. During the event, CM Naidu highlighted the vast potential of clean energy in shaping India’s future.
At the Chief Ministerial Plenary, he pledged Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to generating 72.60 GW of renewable energy by 2030, aligning with India’s goal of 500 GW by the same year. He emphasised that this drive would create jobs, protect the environment, and position Andhra Pradesh as a leader in green energy.
Promoting Andhra Pradesh as a major player in the sector, Naidu underscored the state’s strategic advantages, including its long coastline, industrial base, excellent transport infrastructure, and potential in solar, wind, pumped storage, and green hydrogen. He invited global investors to capitalise on the state’s investor-friendly policies, which offer tax incentives, subsidies, and simplified regulations, supported by a skilled workforce. “I want to create one of the best ecosystems for green energy in India,” he said.
CM Naidu stressed the need for adopting global best practices in renewable energy, focusing on research, policy support, and removing barriers to emerging technologies.
He announced plans to establish a Global University for Clean Energy and Circular Economy to foster knowledge-sharing and innovation.
He outlined Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy targets, which include 40 GW of solar power, 20 GW of wind energy, 12 GW of pumped storage, 25 GW of battery energy storage, 1 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen and its derivatives, 2,500 KLPD of biofuels, and 500 public charging stations for electric vehicles.
The Chief Minister also provided an update on the state’s progress in renewable energy. Andhra Pradesh has so far installed 4,335 MW of solar, 4,083 MW of wind, 106 MW of small hydro, 443 MW of bioenergy, and 36 MW of waste-to-energy capacity. Solar parks with a combined capacity of 4,000 MW have been established in Ananthapuram, Kurnool, and Kadapa districts. An additional 2,700 MW of solar power is set to come up in Prakasam and Sri Sathya Sai districts.
Naidu mentioned the state’s implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijili Yojana, with plans to install rooftop solar systems in 1 million households by 2026-27. The state also aims to develop 26 model solar villages and solarise government buildings to a capacity of 150 MW by 2025-26 with the support of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN).
As part of the PM KUSUM scheme, Andhra Pradesh has solarised agricultural feeders with a total capacity of 3,725 MW and installed 31,275 off-grid solar pumps. Naidu highlighted the state’s leadership in promoting pumped storage projects across 39 locations, with an estimated potential of 43.89 GW, aimed at balancing the variable renewable energy (VRE) output and minimising grid imbalances. “We’ve seen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), but now I am introducing P4 – Public, Private, People’s Partnership – to involve the public as partners in renewable energy,” he added.
Explaining the incentives under the draft ICE policy 2024, Naidu said the government is prioritising renewable energy projects with various initiatives, policies, and incentives to accelerate growth in the sector.
“The government will provide key incentives for wind projects and turbine manufacturers, waive transmission and wheeling charges for renewable energy infrastructure, and offer capital and interest subsidies to foster innovation and strengthen the energy grid. In addition, production incentives for renewable energy equipment manufacturers, along with subsidies on power costs and electricity duty, will help reduce expenses and promote renewable energy manufacturing,” he said. “The next revolution will be the Green Energy Revolution,” he remarked.
During the event, Special Chief Secretary for Energy K Vijayanand received an award on behalf of Andhra Pradesh for setting up solar parks in Anantapur, from Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Several dignitaries, including state and central ministers and senior officials, attended the meet.