365Telugu.com online news,Kanigiri (Andhra Pradesh), April 3, 2025: Andhra Pradesh IT & Electronics Minister and Chairman of the Group of Ministers on Job Creation, Nara Lokesh, laid the foundation stone for Reliance Industries’ first Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant in Kanigiri, Prakasam district, today.
This marks the beginning of 500 CBG plants that Reliance plans to develop in Andhra Pradesh, with a total investment of ₹65,000 crores. The Kanigiri plant alone is being developed with an investment of ₹139 crores and will use Napier grass cultivated on barren and waste lands to generate bio-gas. This initiative will boost the rural economy by providing farmers with lease revenues and a fixed price for cultivated grass.
A Mega Bio-Energy Initiative for Andhra Pradesh
Reliance is setting up integrated CBG hubs across Andhra Pradesh, utilizing 500,000 acres of barren land across Prakasam, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa districts. Once operational, these hubs will produce 40 lakh tonnes of CBG and 1.1 million metric tonnes of organic fertilizer annually. The project is also expected to create 2.5 lakh jobs for rural youth.
Speaking at the event, Reliance Executive Director P M S Prasad emphasized that this project goes beyond energy production, stating:
“This initiative will uplift communities, boost local economies, and drive Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy ambitions. We aim to empower our ANNA DAATAS (food providers) to become URJA DAATAS (energy providers). Additionally, the byproduct from these plants will generate one crore tonnes of Fermented Organic Manure, reducing chemical fertilizer consumption and transforming 15 lakh acres of barren land into fertile farmland. This will enhance farmer incomes and contribute to a sustainable future.”
Government’s Commitment to Transformational Energy Projects
Expressing his enthusiasm, Minister Nara Lokesh highlighted the government’s swift support for Reliance’s initiative, saying:
“We are proud to facilitate Reliance in launching this transformative CBG project in Prakasam district. This is the first of many, with a vision to establish 500 CBG plants across Andhra Pradesh. Reliance has been a key investor in the state, and we look forward to expanding this partnership in the CBG sector.”
The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Chief Secretary Vijayanand, Prakasam District Collector Tamim Ansariya, Transco JMD Keerthi Chekuri, and several MLAs, MLCs, and senior officials from Reliance Industries.
With this groundbreaking project, Andhra Pradesh is poised to become a leader in bio-energy and sustainable rural development, transforming waste into wealth and land into livelihoods.