Amaravati Set to Become World’s First Fully Renewable-Powered City

Amaravati Set to Become World’s First Fully Renewable-Powered City

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh – April 20, 2025:
Andhra Pradesh’s planned capital city, Amaravati, is on track to become the world’s first city entirely powered by renewable energy. Backed by a comprehensive clean energy strategy and integrated urban planning, the Rs 65,000-crore project aims to set a global benchmark for sustainable urban development.

Spread over 217 square kilometers and situated along the Krishna River between Vijayawada and Guntur, Amaravati is envisioned as a “greenfield” capital. Town planners and state officials have outlined an ambitious target of installing 2,700 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity. This includes solar, wind, and hydropower, which will collectively meet the city’s projected peak electricity demand by 2050.

The renewable energy integration aligns with India’s broader climate commitments and targets under the Paris Agreement. Andhra Pradesh, through its capital region, aims to not only reduce fossil fuel dependency but also promote energy-efficient infrastructure across all sectors.

The energy plan involves the mandatory installation of rooftop solar systems covering at least one-third of roof areas in all government housing and commercial projects. This move is part of the state’s building permissions process, which now mandates green building norms across Amaravati. Currently, 415 kW of rooftop solar power has been deployed across 16 Anganwadi centers, 14 e-health facilities, 13 public schools, and a multi-faith funeral center.

In addition to solar energy, Amaravati’s transport infrastructure is being designed to operate fully on renewable sources. The upcoming Amaravati Metro and an electric public bus fleet will be powered by green energy. The city will also have extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging stations available for public and government use.

Another key component of Amaravati’s sustainable strategy is a large-scale District Cooling System (DCS) to reduce electricity consumption for cooling purposes. In collaboration with Tabreed, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) signed India’s first public-private partnership concession in 2019 to deliver a 20,000 refrigeration tonne (RT) DCS in the government complex. This system is expected to reduce cooling-related electricity usage by 50%, particularly in energy-intensive buildings such as the High Court and the Secretariat.

Given Andhra Pradesh’s rising heat levels—temperatures peaked at 47.7°C in 2024—the cooling demand across the residential, commercial, and government sectors is set to rise significantly. This includes needs for air conditioning, cold-chain logistics, industrial processes, and refrigeration. The DCS will optimize energy efficiency and limit carbon emissions by reducing the load on traditional air-conditioning systems.

The foundation stone for Amaravati is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this month. The entire Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, spanning 8,352 square kilometers, is being developed to accommodate the planned urban growth and clean energy infrastructure.

Additionally, Amaravati will utilize renewable sources for public utilities such as parks, walkways, and bus depots, expanding solar infrastructure beyond buildings. Town planners are also exploring decentralized energy systems, which are more scalable and cost-effective—particularly advantageous for sun-rich regions like southern India.

By integrating smart grid technology, net metering, and scalable solar infrastructure, Amaravati is preparing to become a model for future urban centers across the globe. The city’s energy infrastructure is designed to be adaptive to future technological advancements and changing energy consumption patterns.

The state anticipates that Andhra Pradesh’s overall peak electricity demand will rise by 57%, reaching 19.9 GW by 2029. Amaravati’s contribution through a renewable-based system will significantly ease the state’s carbon footprint and boost energy independence.

The clean energy blueprint for Amaravati not only represents a shift towards environmental sustainability but also signifies India’s growing leadership in renewable energy adoption. By embedding clean energy principles into urban planning, Amaravati could pave the way for similar developments across India and the world.