Lokesh lays foundation for Suzlon wind energy projects in Anantapur
IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday said the Andhra Pradesh government was focused on grounding investment projects rather than merely signing MoUs, with an emphasis on generating employment.
Mr Lokesh laid the foundation stone for Suzlon’s wind energy projects at Hulikera in Kanekal mandal of the Rayadurgam constituency.
“MoUs are just paper and ink for us. We focus on grounding projects, ensuring the speed of doing business and creating jobs, particularly for farmers who have parted with their land for industrial projects,” he said.
Referring to the ArcelorMittal greenfield steel plant in Anakapalli, Mr Lokesh said farmers had given 3,000 acres for the project even without an MoU and that construction was progressing. He expressed confidence that commercial production would commence by 2029.
The Suzlon projects are expected to add 1,325 MW of renewable energy capacity, involving an investment of around ₹10,000 crore and creating more than 4,000 jobs.
“Every megawatt of capacity we build must ultimately translate into an opportunity for our youth,” Mr Lokesh said. Suzlon already has an installed capacity of around 1,600 MW in Andhra Pradesh, while another 2,700 MW is under development and construction, he added.
The minister said the government was working to convert clean energy into green hydrogen and green ammonia and use renewable power for green data centres to support the growing AI economy.
“Our goal is to transform Andhra Pradesh into the ‘Saudi Arabia of clean energy’, a state capable of exporting clean energy in various forms to the world,” he said.
Mr Lokesh said the government was also working to establish 22 industrial clusters in high-growth sectors. He said the cluster-based approach would help create industry ecosystems, attract suppliers and ancillary units, generate employment and strengthen local economies.
The minister said the state government and Suzlon were jointly training 12,000 young people for employment in the green energy sector, with women accounting for 25 per cent of the trainees.
Skill development centres in Uravakonda and Vijayawada are training engineers and technicians to meet the renewable energy industry’s needs, he said.