Reliance Industries has commenced its ambitious $7.8 billion (Rs 65,000 crore) investment in compressed bio-gas (CBG) hubs across Andhra Pradesh. On Wednesday, the company laid the foundation stone for its first integrated CBG plant in Kanigiri's Divakarapalli village. The plant, developed by Reliance New Energy, will span 475 acres and entail an investment of $16.6 million, with a production capacity of 100 tonnes of bio-gas. Minister Nara Lokesh led the ground-breaking ceremony, marking the first step toward Reliance’s vision of establishing 500 CBG plants in the state. The initiative is expected to generate 250,000 jobs and uplift the rural economy by utilizing barren lands for Napier grass cultivation, ensuring steady lease payments and fixed income for farmers. The company plans to use 500,000 acres of barren land across Prakasam, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa districts for bio-gas production. Once fully operational, these plants will produce 4 million tonnes of clean CBG and 1.1 million metric tonnes of organic fertilizer annually. Reliance Executive Director P M S Prasad emphasized the project’s transformative impact: “This is more than energy production; it’s about empowering communities and enhancing Andhra Pradesh’s green energy vision. By converting waste into wealth, we aim to support farmers and reduce chemical fertilizer dependency.” Minister Lokesh reaffirmed the state’s commitment to facilitating Reliance’s investment, highlighting the company’s longstanding role as a trusted investor in Andhra Pradesh. “This is the first of many CBG plants, and we are thrilled to support Reliance in realizing its sustainable energy ambitions,” he stated. With this pioneering initiative, Reliance is set to redefine India’s renewable energy landscape, turning vast stretches of underutilized land into hubs of economic and environmental progress.