Amaravati: World’s First Fully Renewable-Powered City in the Making

In a landmark step towards sustainable urban development, Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is on track to become the world’s first city powered entirely by renewable energy. Envisioned by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, this ambitious project aligns with India’s commitment to clean energy and climate-conscious urbanization. Located between Vijayawada and Guntur, Amaravati is being designed as a modern, eco-friendly “people’s capital”, setting a global benchmark in sustainable city planning.

An Ambitious Greenfield Project

The foundation of this monumental initiative is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, symbolizing national support for green development. The new capital city will cover 217 square kilometres along the banks of the Krishna River, forming part of the larger Andhra Pradesh Capital Region, which spans 8,352 sq km.

With a project cost estimated at ₹65,000 crore, Amaravati is being developed as an eco-conscious urban center focused on clean energy, efficient infrastructure, and smart planning.

Targeting 2,700 MW of Clean Energy

One of the most striking features of Amaravati’s development is its commitment to generating 2,700 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solar, wind, and hydropower sources. This figure not only matches the city’s projected energy demand by 2050 but also ensures complete reliance on renewable energy—making the use of fossil fuels obsolete in the city’s ecosystem.

Currently, the planners aim to have at least 30% of this electricity sourced from solar and wind energy alone.

Solar-Powered Rooftops and Green Building Norms

To achieve these ambitious goals, solar energy will play a central role. Mandatory rooftop solar systems are required on at least one-third of all roofs in government housing projects. These requirements are being integrated into the building approval process.

Furthermore, all major building projects, including the Amaravati Government Complex, are mandated to follow green building standards. These standards will ensure:

• Energy efficiency
• Low carbon footprint
• Optimal resource utilization

Green Transportation and Electric Mobility

The city’s public transportation network, including the Amaravati Metro and electric buses, will operate on renewable energy. In addition, an extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure will be set up across public and government sectors to support EV adoption.

To reinforce its green identity, the city plans to install solar panels in public spaces such as:

• Parks
• Walkways
• Bus stops

Current Progress in Solar Implementation

Significant steps have already been taken on the ground. As part of the pilot solar project, 415 kW of rooftop solar systems have been installed across:

• 16 Anganwadis
• 14 e-health centres
• 13 public schools
• A multi-faith funeral facility

Moreover, net metering systems are being made mandatory for all government and commercial buildings to allow excess solar power to be fed back into the grid.

Tackling Heatwaves with District Cooling

Amaravati is also addressing the region’s growing cooling requirements, driven by rising temperatures, which have reached 47.7°C in 2024—making Andhra Pradesh the state with the highest number of heatwave days in South India.

To combat this, the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) has signed a public-private partnership with Tabreed in 2019 to introduce a District Cooling System.

Key Highlights of the Cooling Plan:

• 20,000 Refrigeration Tonnes (RT) capacity system.
• Serves key government buildings like the High Court and Secretariat.
• Reduces cooling energy demand by up to 50%.
• Helps lower electricity consumption and carbon emissions by replacing individual building cooling units.

Why Amaravati Matters Globally

Amaravati’s unique focus on energy-efficient infrastructure and zero-emission transport systems is poised to make it a global model for climate-conscious urban development. Unlike other major urban centers, Amaravati’s entire energy strategy revolves around sustainability, resilience, and innovation.

As cities around the world grapple with the dual challenges of urban growth and climate change, Amaravati is setting a visionary example—proving that economic progress and environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand.