VIJAYAWADA: The State government notified the implementation of the recently unveiled Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy-2024 (ICE-2024) on Wednesday.
It is said that the policy will be applicable for a period of five years from the date of notification and the ICE policy may be amended and modified during the period of implementation.
The ICE policy aims to add over 160 (Gigawatt) GW of renewable energy (RE), with a potential to attract investments worth `10 lakh crore, thereby generating an estimated employment opportunities for 7.50 lakh directly and indirectly.
The policy is expected to propel the State in the clean energy production sector, transforming Andhra Pradesh into a Clean Energy Hub.
The ICE policy’s main emphasis is on solar power, wind power, hybrid power (wind-solar), mini and small hydropower, pumped storage plants, battery energy storage systems, green hydrogen and its derivatives, biofuels, EV charging infrastructure, renewable energy (RE) manufacturing projects, including solar, wind, battery, and electrolyzers.
As per the estimates, there is a potential for capacity addition/manufacturing of 78.50 Giga Watt peak (GWp) in solar, 35 (Gigawatt) GW in wind, 22 GW in pumped storage, 25 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) battery energy storage in the State, prompting the State government to frame the ICE policy-2024 for large-scale promotion of RE, Pumped Storage Power (PSP), Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a preferred destination for investments in renewable energy.
The ICE policy-2024 also propels the State to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2047.
Furthermore, The government also aims to establish a University for Green Energy & Circular Economy (UGC), offering courses and certification programmes to encourage entrepreneurship and upskilling among youth.