Reliance Plans to Invest Rs. 65,000 Crores in Developing Integrated CBG Hubs in AP

KANIGIRI (AP):
Andhra Pradesh IT & Electronics Minister, Chairman of the Group of Ministers on Job Creation Nara Lokesh laid the foundation stone of the first Reliance Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant at Kanigiri in Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, today.

The project is being developed with a capital investment of Rs. 139 crores and is the first in a series of 500 projects involving a total capital outlay of Rs. 65,000 crores for AP. The plant will be developed with innovative technology and utilise Napier grass that would be developed on barren and waste lands to produce bio-gas. The project will result in significant livelihood to the rural economy through payment of lease revenues to the farmers, and additionally, a fixed price for the grass grown by farmers.

Reliance has embarked on a bold journey to establish integrated CBG hubs across Andhra Pradesh. Around 500,000 acres of barren and waste lands in Prakasam, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa will be utilised for this purpose. Once all the plants are fully operational, they will produce 40 lakh tonne of green, clean CBG and 1.1 million metric tonnes of organic fertiliser annually. This initiative is expected to create 250,000 jobs for rural youth.

Reliance Executive Director P M S Prasad, who was present during the ground-breaking event, said, “We see this project as more than energy production. It will uplift communities and boost local economies. And it will drive Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy ambitions forward. Our initiative will equip our ANNA DAATAS with the tools and technology they need to become URJA DAATAS. Additionally, the byproduct from these plants will yield one crore tonne of Fermented Organic Manure to support farmers with a reduction of chemical fertilisers consumption. This will transform 15 lakh acres of barren land into fertile farmland, boosting farmer incomes. We (the state government and Reliance) share a united vision. A vision where Andhra Pradesh shines as a leading state of India. This bioenergy project is a major step in that direction, and we are committed to making it a reality. Together, we will turn waste into green wealth, energy into empowerment, and land into livelihood.”

Speaking on the occasion, Nara Lokesh said, “I am delighted that we have been able to provide requisite support in record time and enable Reliance to break ground on this transformational CBG project at Prakasam district. This is the first of many and we aim that Reliance would develop 500 such projects across Andhra Pradesh with a total investment of Rs. 65,000 crores. Reliance Industries has been one of AP’s largest and most trusted investors over the past few decades and we are excited to extend this partnership into the CBG space.”

The event was attended by several state government dignitaries including the Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, Chief Secretary Vijayanand, Prakasam District Collector Tamim Ansariya, Transco JMD Keerthi Chekuri, and several MLAs, MLCs, and senior Reliance officials, among others.