Amaravati: Amaravati, the planned capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is being designed with a focus on renewable energy and long-term sustainability.
State officials have announced that the city will aim to meet its projected electricity demand of 2,700 megawatts (MW) entirely through renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydropower.
Renewable energy at the core of Amaravati’s design
According to planning officials, Amaravati’s energy infrastructure is being aligned with India’s national clean energy goals. The city is expected to serve as a model for integrating green energy solutions into urban planning. The Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, spread over 8,352 square kilometres, will include Amaravati as a core area of 217 square kilometres.
The foundation stone of the greenfield city located between Vijayawada and Guntur is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month. The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 65,000 crore.
Rooftop solar and energy-efficient infrastructure
As part of the city’s building regulations, solar panels will be mandatory for all government housing and major infrastructure projects. Town planners have already installed 415 kW of rooftop solar capacity across Anganwadis, e-health centres, schools, and a multi-faith funeral complex. All government and commercial buildings will also be required to adopt net metering systems.
In addition, the Amaravati Government Complex is being designed under green building norms, with energy-efficient layouts and a district cooling system to reduce electricity usage for air conditioning. Andhra Pradesh faces some of the highest heatwave incidents in South India, with temperatures reaching 47.7°C in 2024, making cooling infrastructure a critical requirement.
Amaravati’s urban transport network, including metro rail and an electric bus fleet, will operate entirely on renewable energy. Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) will be incorporated across public and government-use areas, including parks and depots.
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