Hyderabad: Telangana is stepping up efforts to become a leader in clean energy, with the state government announcing a focused strategy to promote sustainable fuel solutions and reduce dependence on imports.
State IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu made the announcement on Sunday while laying the foundation for a Rs 700 crore compressed bio-gas project at Narmetta in Siddipet district, The New Indian Express reported.
The project, being developed by Juno Joule Biofuels Pvt Ltd, is expected to create around 1,400 direct jobs, with women likely to make up nearly 30 per cent of the workforce.
Highlighting India’s energy challenges, the minister said the country imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil and about 60 per cent of its LPG needs, underlining the importance of expanding clean energy options.
He said the state is promoting a model that links industrial growth with environmental sustainability while boosting rural livelihoods. The project will use farm residues such as paddy straw, along with cattle dung and poultry waste, to produce biogas.
The initiative will be implemented in phases, with a cluster of 10 plants, each having a capacity of 100 tonnes per day.
Sridhar Babu said the government is working to turn rural areas into energy production centres and reduce the concentration of industrial growth around Hyderabad.
Calling the initiative a major shift, he said farmers could move beyond traditional roles and contribute to energy production as well.
Several public representatives and officials, including T Harish Rao, attended the event.
