Key Highlights
- Amaravati aims to become the world’s first city powered exclusively by renewable sources, targeting 2,700 MW by 2050.
- The project budget is set at ₹65,000 crore for a 217 km² greenfield capital along the Krishna River.
- Mandatory rooftop solar installations will cover at least one‑third of all government housing roofs.
- A district‑cooling network, delivering 20,000 RT, will cut building‑level cooling demand by up to 50%.
Detailed Insights
Conceived by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new capital of Andhra Pradesh is being sculpted as a low‑carbon, technology‑rich urban hub. Spanning 217 square kilometres within the broader 8,352 km² Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, the city’s master plan integrates solar, wind, and hydroelectric generation to meet its projected electricity consumption in 2050 without any fossil‑fuel input.
Solar energy forms the backbone of the strategy. Government‑built residences must incorporate photovoltaic panels on a minimum of 33 % of roof area, and the same requirement is embedded in the building‑approval workflow. In parallel, all major constructions, including the Amaravati Government Complex, must adhere to green‑building criteria that prioritize energy efficiency, minimal carbon emissions, and optimal resource use.
Mobility will be electrified through a metro system and a fleet of electric buses, both supplied by renewable power. An extensive network of EV charging stations will be installed across public venues, while solar arrays will be mounted on parks, walkways, and bus shelters to augment the grid.
To mitigate the region’s soaring temperatures—recorded at 47.7 °C in 2024—the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority has partnered with Tabreed to deploy a district‑cooling plant capable of 20,000 refrigeration tonnes. This centralized system is expected to halve the cooling load of key government edifices, thereby slashing electricity use and associated emissions.
Key Concepts
- Renewable Energy: Power derived from naturally replenishing sources such as sunlight, wind, and flowing water, which emit little or no greenhouse gases.
- District Cooling: A centralized cooling service that distributes chilled water to multiple buildings, reducing the need for individual air‑conditioning units.
- Green Building Standards: A set of construction guidelines that aim to lower a building’s environmental impact through energy‑saving designs, sustainable materials, and efficient water use.
- Net Metering: A billing arrangement that credits owners of on‑site renewable generators for excess electricity fed back into the public grid.
- Electric Mobility: Transportation powered by electricity, encompassing electric buses, cars, and two‑wheelers, supported by charging infrastructure.