AP Aims To Be Nation’s Renewable Energy Leader: Lokesh

Andhra Pradesh is aiming to emerge as the country’s leading state in the renewable energy sector, and Suzlon’s wind power projects will mark a new chapter in this journey, Education Minister Nara Lokesh has said.

After laying the stone for the Suzlon Wind Energy projects at Huliker in Kanekal mandal of Rayadurg constituency on Tuesday, Lokesh said it was a matter of pride that the two-decades’ association between Suzlon and Andhra Pradesh was being revived.

The minister alleged that the wind energy sector in Andhra Pradesh had virtually stalled during 2019-24, with only six MW of additional capacity being added. In contrast, the Suzlon unit in Anantapur currently has an annual manufacturing capacity of 1,260MW and provides direct employment to around 1,200 people, more than 70 per cent of whom being locals.

Suzlon has created over 2,000 green jobs across the state, he said.

The projects for which the foundation stone was laid would add 1,325mw of renewable energy capacity, involving an investment of around `10,000 crore and creating more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, the IT minister said.

Suzlon already has 1,600mw of installed capacity in Andhra Pradesh, while another 2,700mw is under construction, he noted.

The state, Lokesh said, is developing 6.5gw of data centre capacity and renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and storage systems, which would be crucial to ensuring uninterrupted power supply to these facilities. The data centre ecosystem could create opportunities for nearly 25gw of renewable energy capacity.

“Our ultimate goal is to transform AP into a ‘Saudi Arabia of clean energy’ by converting renewable power into green hydrogen and green ammonia and exporting these to the world,” Lokesh stated.

The state, he said, has set a target of 175gw of renewable energy capacity and Suzlon would play a key role in this. The government is also establishing 22 industrial clusters across the state focusing on high-growth sectors such as energy, data centres, electronics, pharmaceuticals and automobiles.

Lokesh announced that the state government and Suzlon would jointly train 12,000 youths for green energy jobs, with 25 per cent of the training opportunities earmarked for women. Skill development centres in Uravakonda and Vijayawada would prepare manpower for the sector.

The minister recalled that the Anantapur area, once known for migration of people to other regions in search of employment, was now emerging as a destination for jobs and investment. The arrival of Kia Motors, defence manufacturing units and Suzlon’s renewable energy projects made this possible, he said.

Lokesh attributed this transformation to the vision of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Calling upon youngsters to make use of the emerging opportunities, he said the government would focus on attracting investments while the youth should equip themselves with the required skills. “If the government, industry and youth work together, we can create wonders,” he said, thanking Suzlon for reposing confidence in the state.

Whip Kalava Srinivasulu, finance minister Payyavula Kesav and several others were present.