ANDHRA PRADESH: Nara Lokesh Unveils Major Investment Boost for AP
Andhra Pradesh is gearing up for a renewable energy surge as ReNew Power commits to a staggering Rs.82,000 crore investment.
This move, unveiled by IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh on social media platform X, signals the company’s bold re-entry after a five-year absence.
With a focus on solar manufacturing and green hydrogen, the deal could redefine the state’s clean energy landscape.
The announcement came amid the CII Partnership Summit preparations in Visakhapatnam, where Lokesh welcomed ReNew Chairman and CEO Sumant Sinha. “After five years out of Andhra Pradesh, it is my proud privilege to announce that ReNew is placing an all-in investment on the entire renewable energy value chain,” Lokesh posted, underscoring the project’s scope from high-tech solar components to sustainable fuel production.
A Rocky Past, A Fresh Start
ReNew’s history in the state took a downturn in 2019 under the previous YSRCP administration led by then-Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The company had pledged Rs 22,000 crore for a massive hybrid renewable project in Anantapur district, touted as India’s largest single-site complex with 1,800 MW solar, 1 GW wind, and 2,000 MWh battery storage.
Policy shifts, including the cancellation and scrutiny of power purchase agreements, prompted ReNew’s exit.
Sources close to the firm cited regulatory hurdles as a key deterrent, stalling what could have been a cornerstone for local jobs and energy security.
Investments That Pack a Punch
This new commitment builds on a Rs.22,000 crore foundation stone laid by Lokesh in May 2025 for the Anantapur site. The expanded Rs 82,000 crore outlay includes:
A 6 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing plant to bolster domestic supply chains.
6.3 GW hybrid renewable sites equipped with advanced battery energy storage systems.
A 2 GW pumped hydro storage project for reliable grid support.
A 300 KTPA green hydrogen and ammonia facility, targeting sustainable molecules for industrial use.
These initiatives align with Andhra Pradesh’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy, aiming for 72 GW renewable capacity by 2029. The projects are projected to create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, fueling economic growth in rural districts.
Boost for India’s Clean Energy Ambitions
Lokesh highlighted ReNew’s full-spectrum approach as a vote of confidence in the NDA government’s investor-friendly reforms. “This is not just capital inflow; it’s a blueprint for self-reliance in green tech,” he noted in his X post, linking it to national goals like 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Sumant Sinha echoed the sentiment, praising the state’s transmission infrastructure and resource abundance.
For Andhra Pradesh, this influx, part of nearly Rs.1 lakh crore in recent pledges, positions it as a southern hub for decarbonization, potentially outpacing rivals in solar and hydrogen innovation.
The summit’s upcoming MoU signings could offer clues, teasing whether this is a true turnaround or a tentative toe-dip into uncharted green waters.