Lokesh lays foundation for energy project in Anantapur as Andhra Pradesh pushes its renewable energy mission backed by Suzlon investments.

Lokesh lays foundation for energy project at Hulikeru is an eye opener for Andhra Pradesh’s plan to scale up its renewable energy mission and attract huge investments from Suzlon. Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced that Andhra Pradesh will be a leading State in renewable energy and wind power projects in the country.

Suzlon projects worth around Rs 10,000 crore to be set up in Rayadurg constituency’s Kanekal mandal in Anantapur district.

Speaking on the occasion, Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh said that Suzlon has been contributing to the State’s renewable energy for the past two decades and has developed the wind energy ecosystem in the State.

“You have contributed immeasurable dividends for the growth of wind energy in our State and the vision of your Late Founder Chairman Tulsi Tanti for promoting renewable even before it has become a global mania,” said Lokesh.

Suzlon’s renewable energy projects in the State will have a capacity of 1,325 MW and would create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Anantapur emerges as a wind power hub

Suzlon’s Anantapur facility has a production capacity of about 1,260 MW and employs 1200 workers. Of these, more than 70 per cent are local employees. Further, across Andhra Pradesh, Suzlon has created more than 2,000 green jobs.

The company has already commissioned around 1,600 MW of wind power projects in the State while another 2,700 MW wind projects are in various stages of installation. In addition, nearly 1,300 MW wind projects will be set up in Anantapur district.

Harnessing wind and solar power with storage

Renewable energy has become a major thrust for the state. It is in this backdrop, the Minister said that harnessing wind and solar power with storage has become vital for meeting the needs of data centres. Andhra Pradesh’s data centre clusters with a capacity of 6.5 GW will require renewable energy sources worth nearly 25 GW. The State has set a target of 175 GW renewable energy.

Business Fortune believes that through this project, Andhra Pradesh will also leverage its strengths in solar energy to emerge as a green hydrogen, green ammonia and green data centre destination.

Green jobs to be created

Around 12,000 youth including 25 per cent women will be trained at the skill development centres in Uravakonda and Vijayawada to provide skilled workers for green jobs. The government has partnered with Suzlon in training programs to meet the demand for skilled manpower in the renewable energy sector.

 

FAQs

What project did Lokesh lay foundation for?

Lokesh laid foundation for Suzlon wind energy projects at Hulikeru in Anantapur district.

What is the capacity of the new projects?

It has a capacity of 1,325 MW of renewable energy.

How much will the projects be worth?

The value is estimated to be around Rs 10,000 crore.

How many jobs will the projects create?

The projects will create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.

What is the target of renewable energy?

Andhra Pradesh has a target of 175 GW of renewable energy.