KADAPA: Andhra Pradesh has achieved a major milestone in its clean energy journey with the commissioning of SAEL Industries’ 600 MW AC solar power projects in Rayalaseema, one of the first large-scale renewable energy ventures completed under the State’s Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024.
The solar projects were inaugurated by HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh at T Koduru village in Kondapuram mandal of Kadapa district on Friday.
Built with an investment of nearly Rs 3,000 crore, the twin facilities – SAEL Solar MHP1 Private Limited and SAEL Solar MHP2 Private Limited – together span over 2,400 acres and were completed in a record 11 months, reinforcing Andhra Pradesh’s reputation for speed-driven industrial execution and investor-friendly governance. The plants house more than 12 lakh advanced TOPCon bifacial solar modules manufactured at SAEL’s facilities in Punjab and Rajasthan.
Lokesh remarked that while some leaders relied on emotional rhetoric, the “brand” represented by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stood for job creation, credibility, and development.
He said the SAEL project reflected the strength of the Andhra Pradesh “brand,” which symbolises vision, trust, and speed, attracting investors to partner with the State’s growth story.
He credited the cooperation of local farmers, youth, and officials for the speedy completion of the project, which he said had already generated direct and indirect employment for over 1,000 people, with nearly 80 per cent of the workforce drawn locally.
‘Project helps cut 11 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions’
In addition, 760 farmers and their families benefited through long-term land lease agreements.
Highlighting the broader impact, the IT Minister said the project is expected to reduce nearly 11 lakh tonnes of carbon emissions annually and will supply electricity to the national grid under a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India, benefiting States including Gujarat.
He emphasised that Andhra Pradesh is not only a consumer of clean energy but is also becoming a supplier contributing to India’s green energy revolution.
Lokesh pointed out that the State government has already facilitated several major energy and infrastructure projects in the region, including mega solar parks, Adani Ventures, Chinta Green Projects, and NTPC-GENCO pumped storage facilities.
He added that SAEL is also developing projects across Andhra Pradesh to generate nearly 200 MW of electricity from agricultural waste, creating additional income opportunities for farmers and employment in the renewable energy sector.
The IT Minister assured SAEL of continued government support for future expansion plans, remarking that he was “just a WhatsApp call away” if the company required any assistance.
He also underlined that fast decision-making and timely execution were crucial for development, citing the SAEL project as a model of rapid implementation.
Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, District In-charge Minister Savitha, Kadapa Collector Cherukuri Sridhar, SAEL Co-Founder and Director Sukhbir Singh, Executive Director and CEO Lakshit Awla, Jammalamadugu MLA Adinarayana Reddy, and TDP leader Bhupesh Reddy were present on the occasion.