Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday called for self-reliance in energy consumption within the agricultural sector.
Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation for a 6.5 GW renewable solar wafer alloy manufacturing plant built by ReNew Energy at a cost $5,400 crore In Rambilli village of Anakapalli village, Naidu urged farmers to install solar panels under the PM-KUSUM scheme. “In the coming years, farmers should be able to get their own solar panels to generate power for their agricultural pump sets instead of relying on power provided by the Ministry of Electricity,” he said.
He also urged people to adopt rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. “We aim to install solar panels for 40,000 families next year,” he said.
Naidu called for decentralized power to reduce transportation losses and announced plans to set up 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the state. “The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation is also scheduled to introduce 1,050 electric buses as part of the green mobility drive,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that Andhra Pradesh has set a target of generating 160 GW of green energy, with investments worth $5.95 lakh crore have already been mobilized. “Proposals and MoUs for 90 GW have been finalized, while NTPC Green Energy is planning investments worth $1.85 lakh crore, he said.
Solar and wind power generation is already underway in Anantapur and Kurnool districts, while Rambeli will emerge as a solar panel manufacturing hub, he added.
Naidu stressed that his government would adhere to its promise before the elections not to increase electricity tariffs. He claimed that his government had also scrapped the “genuine charges” it had imposed earlier and were burden absorbing $4,600 crore to prevent additional costs to consumers. “A decision has also been made $“Rs 15,795 crore without shifting the burden to the public,” he said.
The Prime Minister pledged to develop Anakapally district into a major investment hub in the country by setting up large-scale industrial projects and green energy initiatives. “The region is already attracting unprecedented investments and could soon become among the top regions in India in terms of industrial flows,” he said.
Naidu noted that just a few weeks ago, he had laid the foundation for the recently laid ArcelorMittal Nippon India Steel plant in the area, strengthening the industrial ecosystem in Anakapalli.
It was also announced that on April 28, Google will set up a massive US$10 billion data center in Visakhapatnam, including an advanced AI-powered data centre.
The Prime Minister also revealed that the Bhogapuram International Airport will be inaugurated in the first week of July, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
