Nara Lokesh said Andhra Pradesh data centres will be required to source at least 70% of their electricity from renewable energy as the State combines digital infrastructure growth with cleaner power. The renewable-energy requirement comes as Andhra Pradesh seeks to emerge as a major destination for data centres and technology investment, which require substantial electricity for servers, cooling systems and supporting infrastructure.

The policy is intended to ensure that growth in energy-intensive digital infrastructure is supported largely by cleaner sources instead of relying predominantly on conventional power.Lokesh said the State has significant renewable-energy potential that can support the growing electricity requirements of data centres. The government is seeking to use this advantage while attracting technology companies and developing large-scale digital infrastructure.The expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, online services and digital platforms is increasing demand for data processing and storage. This has made access to reliable and affordable electricity an important consideration for companies selecting locations for new data centres.

Nara Lokesh Pushes 70% Renewable Energy Mandate

Nara Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to strengthen its technology ecosystem through infrastructure development and investment-friendly policies. The State views data centres as a key sector for attracting investment, generating employment and supporting related industries. Lokesh said the 70% renewable-energy mandate places sustainability at the centre of the data-centre strategy, encouraging developers to source electricity from solar, wind and other clean-energy sources.

The policy could also create additional demand for renewable-energy projects and associated power infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh as the data-centre industry expands.For technology investors, the availability of renewable power, connectivity and supporting infrastructure will remain important factors when evaluating new projects.The Andhra Pradesh data centres policy therefore seeks to balance digital expansion with energy sustainability, positioning renewable power as a central component of the State’s strategy to attract large-scale technology investments.