The Andhra Pradesh State Climate Change Cell (APSCCC) has recommended eight adaptation measures to reduce the impact of climate change on the state’s energy sector under the Andhra Pradesh State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) for 2025-30.
The recommendations follow a vulnerability assessment that found significant risks to energy production, transmission and infrastructure from rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
According to the APSCCC, climate change is expected to increase energy demand while simultaneously affecting the state’s ability to generate and distribute power. Thermal and hydropower generation, fossil fuel supplies and electricity transmission could face growing disruptions as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns become more unpredictable.
Coastal power infrastructure is considered particularly vulnerable. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events could affect power plants and other energy infrastructure located in coastal areas.
The assessment found that large parts of northern and central Andhra Pradesh have very high vulnerability to climate change. Coastal areas in the southern part of the state, along with some northern and central regions, were classified as moderately vulnerable. The south western parts of the state were found to have relatively lower vulnerability.
A key recommendation is to increase renewable energy’s share to 40 per cent of the state’s overall energy mix, with solar and wind power forming the primary sources.
The APSCCC has also proposed establishing 120 gigawatts of renewable power projects and developing two green hydrogen hubs with a combined capacity of 60 MW.
Some measures have already been initiated by agencies including Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (AP-Genco), New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh Green Energy Corporation.
The climate action plan also proposes expanding electric mobility through the installation of one lakh fast and slow electric vehicle charging stations across the state.
Energy efficiency is another major component of the strategy. The APSCCC has recommended retrofitting existing buildings to improve energy performance and creating conditions for wider adoption of energy efficient cooling systems.
The plan also calls for energy efficient street lighting and 100 per cent coverage of Energy Conservation Cells across commercial, industrial, agricultural and domestic sectors.
Improving the energy efficiency of drinking water pumping and lift irrigation systems has also been identified as an important measure.
The APSCCC warned that climate change could create a cycle of rising energy demand and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Higher temperatures are expected to increase electricity consumption, particularly for cooling, while disruptions to generation and transmission infrastructure could make energy supply more difficult.
At the same time, continued dependence on fossil fuels could increase greenhouse gas emissions, further contributing to climate change.
The proposed measures are intended to address both sides of the challenge by improving the resilience of energy infrastructure while accelerating the transition towards cleaner sources.
The recommendations form part of Andhra Pradesh’s broader climate strategy for 2025-30 and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on affordable, reliable and clean energy.