AP Tourism Facilities to Integrate Energy-Efficient Solutions: Durgesh
The project is expected to deliver 50–70 per cent annual energy savings, and cut nearly 300 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Vijayawada: Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh underlined that the Tourism department has rolled out a comprehensive five-point strategic roadmap focusing on attracting national and international investments, adopting global energy-efficient technologies, boosting economic growth and employment, mitigating climate change impact, and ensuring public and tourist participation in the AP Tourism Policy for 2024–2029.
Speaking after a review of the Tourism department with officials, Durgesh maintained that Andhra Pradesh is the first state in the country to sign a memorandum of understanding with central agencies, such as Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The MoU is to integrate global energy-efficiency solutions in tourism infrastructure, thereby enhancing the global brand image of AP Tourism.
The minister said as part of the initiative, EESL will implement its largest pilot project at Araku from January 2026, installing Air Source Heat Pump systems for water and space heating. The project is expected to deliver 50–70 per cent annual energy savings, and cut nearly 300 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Special chief secretary (Housing & Tourism) Ajay Jain informed those at the meeting that tourism-led development will generate at least 25,000 jobs for youth across regions. Visakhapatnam and Araku are being developed as global destinations, supported by major infrastructure upgrades, Jain said.
In this context, he disclosed that one-third of the 11,272 hotel rooms planned nationwide in 2025–26 are coming up in Andhra Pradesh.
Incidentally, marking the National Energy Conservation Week, APTDC managing director Amrapali K. said all energy-efficient technologies under the MoU will be fully implemented towards ensuring sustainable high-quality tourism.