From Our Corresopondent
Amaravati: In a major boost to Andhra Pradesh’s clean-energy ambitions, the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) has sanctioned a record ₹7,500 crore funding for Brookfield’s 1,040 MW hybrid renewable-energy project in Kurnool, comprising 640 MW of wind and 400 MW of solar capacity. With a total project cost of ₹9,910 crore, this marks the single largest REC sanction ever extended to a private-sector initiative.
The project is being developed by Evren, a clean-energy platform jointly launched by Brookfield and Axis Energy. Evren has already lined up over 3 GW of renewable projects across Kurnool and Anantapur, forming part of Brookfield’s broader 8,000 MW pipeline in Andhra Pradesh, involving a total investment of ₹50,000 crore.
This milestone follows Minister Nara Lokesh’s meeting with Brookfield Global President Connor Teskey in London in August 2025, where both sides discussed expanding collaboration in renewables, AI-ready data centers, and green infrastructure.
Brookfield, one of the world’s largest alternative investment managers with over US $1 trillion in assets under management, holds a global renewable portfolio of 46 GW installed capacity and nearly 200 GW under development. Its India operations span renewable power, infrastructure, data centers, and real estate — with Andhra Pradesh emerging as a cornerstone of its Asian green growth strategy.
Industry experts note that this REC-backed project is India’s first to integrate state-level grid connectivity with a firm and dispatchable renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) under the FDRE framework. The hybrid model, combining wind, solar, and battery storage, promises reliable, round-the-clock clean power and improved grid stability.
Speaking on the development, Minister Nara Lokesh, who also handles HRD, IT, Electronics, and RTGS, said:
“Andhra Pradesh is rapidly emerging as India’s renewable-energy hub. We are delighted to partner with global leaders like Brookfield in building the next generation of sustainable infrastructure that creates jobs, drives industrial growth, and strengthens our energy security.”
With this landmark sanction, Andhra Pradesh further cements its position as the Sunrise State of India — a preferred destination for global investors who, as Lokesh put it, “choose speed, choose AP.”