Amaravati, poised to be the world’s first city powered entirely by RE

 Amaravati, the upcoming capital of Andhra Pradesh, plans to be the first city globally to run entirely on renewable energy, with a target of 2,700 MW from solar, wind, and hydropower. The city will feature smart energy solutions, mandatory rooftop solar, electric transportation, and a district cooling system, setting a sustainability benchmark.

Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, is set to become the world’s first city entirely powered by renewable energy, with an ambitious goal of harnessing 2,700 megawatts (MW) of green energy through solar, wind, and hydropower. This initiative is in line with India’s broader clean energy and climate action commitments. The foundation stone for the project, which is spread over 217 square kilometers on the banks of the Krishna River, is expected to be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month. The Rs 65,000-crore city will be located between Vijayawada and Guntur, showcasing India’s leadership in green urban planning and reinforcing its role in the global clean energy transition.

By 2050, Amaravati is projected to require 2.7 GW of power, with at least 30% sourced from renewable energy. The city plans to integrate cutting-edge energy infrastructure into its smart city design, making it a model for future urban sustainability. To meet energy needs, the city will feature mandatory rooftop solar installations for all government housing projects and green building standards for major constructions, ensuring energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.

Amaravati’s public transport system, including the Metro and an electric bus fleet, will run on renewable energy, and the city will have widespread EV charging infrastructure. Solar power will also be tapped in public spaces like parks and bus depots. Already, 415 kW of rooftop solar panels have been installed across various public institutions.

A district cooling system, developed in collaboration with Tabreed, will optimize energy use and reduce cooling demand, addressing the region’s extreme temperatures. This system is expected to reduce electricity demand for cooling by 50%, contributing to the city’s sustainability goals and helping manage Andhra Pradesh’s rising peak power demand.