Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has announced a major investment of Rs 65,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh to set up 500 compressed biogas (CBG) plants over the next five years. This marks RIL's largest clean energy investment outside Gujarat. Each biogas plant will involve an investment of Rs 130 crore and will be developed on wasteland across the state.

The project is expected to generate 250,000 jobs, both direct and indirect, according to state government estimates. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the investment will be signed between RIL and the Andhra Pradesh industries department, with state officials, including Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, in attendance.

The Andhra Pradesh government is offering a range of incentives under its integrated clean energy policy, including capital subsidies and reimbursements for SGST and electricity duties for five years. RIL's initiative is expected to rejuvenate wasteland and train farmers in cultivating energy crops, providing them with increased income. Projections suggest that farmers could earn an additional Rs 30,000 per acre annually.

The investment in 500 CBG plants is expected to provide significant financial benefits to the state, with estimates putting the total benefits at Rs 57,650 crore over 25 years through tax collection, employment, and other contributions.