Andhra Pradesh seems to be putting more attention on renewable energy, industrial investment, and other regional growth stuffs. Minister for Education and IT Nara Lokesh recently said the state isn’t just using clean energy, but is also trying to shift into being a renewable power supplier for the rest of the nation.
While visiting YSR Kadapa district, he inaugurated the “Sustainable and Affordable Energy for Life” (SAEL) solar project at T. Koduru in Kondapuram Mandal. At the inauguration, several public representatives, plus officials were present.
Project Size and Money
The SAEL solar project was planned with an investment around ₹3,000 crore. It stretches across almost 2,400 acres, and it is expected to produce about 600 megawatts of electricity.
As per officials, the setup is using over 1.2 million TOPCon bifacial solar modules. Those modules, were made at the company’s own production facilities, so yeah the supply chain is basically internal.
Also, the project got finished in just 11 months. In his address during the public gathering, Lokesh called it a model for planning, delivery and coordination.
Making Renewable Power at Scale
Lokesh mentioned that Andhra Pradesh wants to take a significant place in India’s green energy space. He also pointed out that State and Central governments are working side by side to build infrastructure and industrial frameworks that can compete on a global level.
He said the project fits into wider initiatives meant to boost renewable generation, while pulling clean energy investment into the state.
Jobs created during construction
Officials said that over 1,000 people got employment chances during the build phase of the solar project. About 80 percent of those workers were local youth, coming from nearby areas ,so it wasn’t just outside labor.
The government added that projects like this can help move economic activity in rural regions ahead, mainly by creating both short term and longer term work.
Income Support for Farming Families
This initiative, has also opened up longer haul lease opportunities for landowners nearby. The Minister mentioned that around 760 farming families are expected to receive steadier income from lease agreements tied to the solar setup.
Officials believe renewable energy work can also deliver extra financial help to farming communities, beyond the usual cycle.
Growth Clusters Across Multiple Sectors
Lokesh stated that the state is setting up 22 special growth clusters, across several sectors. The list includes :
The government wants to bring in both domestic and overseas investment, using these industrial clusters as the hook.
At the meeting the Minister explained the administration is pushing for quicker approvals and a more investor friendly policy atmosphere. He also said that employment creation and investment growth go hand in hand, largely because faster administrative steps help industrial expansion happen sooner.
He further reassured potential investors that the government will stay reachable for business ideas, and discussions around industrial development.
During a separate coordination meeting with party leaders and workers in the Jammalamadugu constituency, Lokesh spoke for a while and made several remarks that were clearly meant to criticize former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other leaders from the YSR Congress Party (YCP).
He contrasted the ruling party’s focus on creating jobs with what he called negative politics coming from the opposition, and he sort of framed it like a deliberate approach, not just “difference of opinion” as such.
Lokesh also brought up the cases lodged against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers during the previous government’s tenure. He said those false cases would be withdrawn. At the same time he warned people not to get dragged into political intimidation, saying it would not be tolerated.
In his speech, he additionally touched on political tension between the TDP leadership and the YCP leadership, in a way that sounded like a continuing dispute rather than something settled long ago.
Industrial promises for the area
Lokesh went back to his earlier “Mission Rayalaseema” announcement made during his padayatra. He said the plan is meant to transform Rayalaseema into a horticulture hub, with investments up to ₹1 lakh crore or so.
He also promised to push for big industries to come into the Jammalamadugu constituency, basically, efforts and follow ups to make that happen.
Infrastructure promises and compensation related justice
The Minister stated that the Rayalaseema Steel Plant is expected to be completed by 2029. He also assured support and compensation-linked justice for families displaced by the Gandikota project, saying they would not be left in the lurch.
Later, Lokesh visited the natural farming plot of farmer Munagala Dwarakanath Reddy in Penikalapadu village, which is in Muddanur Mandal. He watched how the family carries out integrated farming across 17 acres, and the approach is described as a mixed, well coordinated routine.
The farmer’s family manages integrated farming activities across 17 acres. Their operations include:
According to officials, the farm follows natural farming practices without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The system reportedly relies on resources connected to a single cow for agricultural needs.
The Minister interacted with the farmer’s family and tasted organically grown mangoes during the visit.
