Key industrial investments include Reliance Industries' Rs 65,000 crore for biogas plants, NTPC's Green Hydrogen Hub in Pudimadaka with an investment of Rs 1,84,700 crore, and projects by Tata Power, AM Green Ammonia, and John Cockerill Greenco Hydrogen Solutions

India imports LNG and other fuels worth approximately Rs 13 lakh crore annually, posing a significant economic challenge. To address this, India has committed under the Paris Agreement to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, aiming for energy self-sufficiency by 2047 and carbon neutrality by 2070. On January 4, 2022, the central government launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission to harness green energy trends.

Andhra Pradesh has taken a proactive step by introducing the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) Policy 2024, spearheaded by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu. This policy aligns with national initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Yojana and PM KUSUM, aiming to attract Rs10 lakh crore in investments over five years. The goals include generating 7.5 lakh jobs and reaching a 160 GW renewable energy capacity.

The ICE Policy encourages private sector involvement, offering incentives for clean energy investments and planning for 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations. It also supports the installation of 3 GW of rooftop solar capacity for 10 lakh homes under the PM Suryaghar scheme. Andhra Pradesh's geographical advantage, with its extensive coastline and multiple ports, positions it ideally to become a global hub for green hydrogen, with potential capacities in wind, solar, pumped storage, and battery storage.

Key industrial investments include Reliance Industries' Rs 65,000 crore for biogas plants, NTPC's Green Hydrogen Hub in Pudimadaka with an investment of Rs 1,84,700 crore, and projects by Tata Power, AM Green Ammonia, and John Cockerill Greenco Hydrogen Solutions. These initiatives are expected to be operational within 3-4 years.

The policy also focuses on skill development through partnerships with educational institutions, ensuring a workforce ready for the clean energy sector. By targeting 72 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, Andhra Pradesh is set to contribute significantly to India's broader environmental commitments.

The transition to green hydrogen, which uses renewable energy for production unlike carbon-emitting blue or grey hydrogen, is critical. Currently, green hydrogen is costlier, but domestic production of necessary equipment could make it more competitive.

This shift not only aims at reducing import dependency but also positions Andhra Pradesh as a leader in green technology, potentially transforming its economic landscape and supporting the NDA's job creation promises. The Andhra Pradesh ICE Policy 2024 is thus a strategic move towards sustainability, economic growth, and social advancement.

(Lingamaneni Sivarama Prasad is a political and social analyst.)