Andhra Pradesh Emerges as India’s Clean Energy Powerhouse: Nara Lokesh
In a significant stride towards sustainable development, Andhra Pradesh is rapidly establishing itself as India’s premier clean energy hub. State Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, and Human Resources Development, Nara Lokesh, emphasized this transformation during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the country’s largest integrated renewable energy complex in Anantapur district.
On May 16, 2025, Minister Lokesh inaugurated ReNew Energy’s ₹22,000 crore project in Bethapalli village, Gooty mandal. Spanning 2,300 acres, this ambitious initiative aims to generate 1,800 MW of solar power, 1 GW of wind energy, and incorporate a 2,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The first phase alone involves an investment of ₹7,000 crore, focusing on 587 MW solar, 250 MW wind, and 415 MWh BESS capacities.
This project marks ReNew Energy’s return to Andhra Pradesh after a hiatus due to previous policy uncertainties. The renewed collaboration was catalyzed by discussions between Minister Lokesh and ReNew’s Chairman & CEO, Sumant Sinha, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The state government’s proactive approach, including the introduction of the Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) Policy in October 2024, has been instrumental in attracting such significant investments.
Minister Lokesh highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has set an ambitious target of achieving 72 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2029. He stated, “This project is a testament to Andhra Pradesh’s resurgence as a national leader in clean energy. We are building not just capacity, but credibility and global investor confidence.”
The state’s commitment to clean energy is further evidenced by recent investments from major industry players such as Tata Power, NTPC, Vedanta Serentica, SAEL Industries, and Brookfield, collectively amounting to billions of rupees. These developments underscore Andhra Pradesh’s transformation into a renewable energy powerhouse, driving both economic growth and environmental sustainability.