Green energy key to India’s future growth: Naidu

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce edible oil consumption, revive work-from-home practices and make greater use of public transport as part of a broader national conservation effort, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the need for energy security, self-reliance and sustainable development, stating that green energy and decentralised power systems would play a defining role in India’s future growth.

Addressing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Business Summit in New Delhi on Monday, Mr. Naidu said India was steadily emerging as an unstoppable global economic power under the reform-oriented leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Stressing the importance of long-term reforms and resilient economic policies, he said the country must reduce dependence on conventional energy sources while promoting sustainable alternatives. He observed that India was progressing under stable and reform-oriented governance led by the Prime Minister, while some States that were once regarded as development models had in recent years lost focus on growth-oriented policies.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s recently announced eight-point national mission, Mr. Naidu said India should prioritise fuel conservation, improve energy efficiency and expand power generation capacity in the backdrop of global uncertainties and disruptions caused by recent international conflicts. He said such developments had exposed the vulnerability of global gas supplies and energy markets, underscoring the urgent need for greater energy resilience and national preparedness.

The Chief Minister said green energy, biogas, ethanol, electric vehicles and decentralised micro-grid systems would become the backbone of India’s sustainable development strategy in the years ahead. He noted that India already possessed the digital and technological infrastructure required to effectively implement the “Work From Home” concept promoted by the Prime Minister.

Mr. Naidu said Andhra Pradesh had already begun implementing progressive energy policies, including the “prosumer” model through rooftop solar systems, enabling consumers to also become energy producers.

Highlighting the State’s renewable energy initiatives, he said the government was working to reduce transmission losses through micro-grid systems and promote decentralised energy production. “Every household, industry and farm should evolve into a power generation centre,” he said.

The Chief Minister also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s progress in natural farming, stating that nearly 20 lakh acres and an equal number of farmers were practising chemical-free agriculture, improving soil fertility and ensuring traceability and certification of farm produce.

Expressing confidence in India’s future, Mr. Naidu said stable governments and reform-driven leadership were helping the country move rapidly towards global leadership and economic transformation.