The Impact of Renewable Energy Initiatives by APSPDCL on Green Tourism Development in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

The symbiotic relationship between energy security and sustainable tourism is a critical determinant of economic resilience in India\'s Rayalaseema region. This research article investigates the impact of renewable energy (RE) initiatives implemented by the Southern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APSPDCL) on the green tourism sector. Against the backdrop of the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) Policy 2024 and the Swarna Andhra Tourism Vision 2047, the study evaluates utility-led interventions—ranging from decentralized solarisation and waste-to-energy projects to electric mobility infrastructure. The research employs a mixed-methodology approach, utilizing primary data collected from a stratified random survey of 100 hospitality units and sentiment analysis of 1,200+ digital reviews, alongside secondary data from APSPDCL annual reports (2023-24). Statistical analysis, including Multiple Regression and Chi-Square tests, reveals a significant positive correlation (r=0.78) between RE reliability and tourist satisfaction. Findings highlight the Tirumala TirupatiDevasthanams (TTD) as a net-zero model, offsetting carbon footprints through a 10 MW solar plant and biogas initiatives, while identifying critical infrastructure gaps in emerging eco-hubs like Gandikota. The paper concludes that while policy frameworks are robust, ground-level adoption in the budget hospitality segment requires targeted \"Green Tariffs\" and simplified net-metering processes.

Introduction

The study examines how Andhra Pradesh’s hospitality sector is transitioning toward renewable energy (RE) as part of India’s broader sustainability goals under Mission LiFE. Tourism is a major economic driver in the state, but hotels face high energy consumption—mainly from HVAC and lighting—making RE adoption crucial for cost reduction and carbon neutrality. APSPDCL, the regional DISCOM serving major tourism districts like Tirupati, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool, plays a central role in this transition.

Andhra Pradesh positions itself as a clean-energy leader through the Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) Policy 2024, targeting 160 GW of renewable capacity and attracting massive investments. Simultaneously, the Tourism Policy 2024-29 grants “Industry Status” to tourism, aiming to ease operations through incentives. The region’s tourism mix includes spiritual hubs like Tirupati, eco-tourism sites such as Gandikota and Horsley Hills, and vast renewable energy potential from nearby solar parks.

Research Objectives

The study aims to:

1. assess RE adoption in hotels under APSPDCL,

2. analyze how green energy and power reliability affect tourist satisfaction,

3. measure economic benefits of RE using regression, and

4. evaluate successful green tourism models.

Methodology

A descriptive and correlational research design was used.
Primary data came from surveys of 100 hospitality units and sentiment analysis of 1,250 tourist reviews.
Secondary data included APSPDCL reports, tourism statistics, and tariff orders.
Statistical tools such as multiple regression and chi-square tests were applied.

Key Findings

1. Renewable Energy Adoption

• Solar water heating is widely adopted (76%), especially in star hotels (100%).

• Rooftop solar PV adoption remains low at 26% due to high upfront cost and lack of roof space in budget hotels.

• EV charging infrastructure is mostly available in star hotels (80%).

• Biogas systems have limited adoption (8%).

2. Economic Impact

Regression analysis shows a strong relationship between solar capacity and cost savings:

• Every 1 kW of solar installed reduces hotel operational costs by 4.1%.

• With high commercial electricity tariffs (~?12.90/unit), solar significantly lowers monthly expenses.

3. Tourist Satisfaction & Power Reliability

Sentiment analysis shows:

• Tirupati has high satisfaction due to reliable power and strong EV infrastructure.

• Remote eco-tourism spots like Gandikota face complaints about heat, generator noise, and poor power reliability.

• Power stability and access to sustainable amenities directly influence the Tourist Satisfaction Index.

4. Green Hotels Perform Better

Chi-square analysis reveals a significant association between RE adoption and guest ratings:

• Eco-friendly hotels receive more high ratings (22 out of 26) than conventional ones.

• Sustainability has become a key factor in tourist preferences post-pandemic.

Case Highlights

• Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) serves as a model for net-zero tourism with its solar, wind, and biogas systems.

• Gandikota struggles with power interruptions and requires dedicated “Tourism Feeders” for upcoming large-scale projects.

• EV tourism corridors around Tirupati are among India’s fastest-growing, enabling low-carbon travel.

Recommendations

1. Lower electricity tariffs for all hospitality units to the promised ~?7/unit to ease operating costs.

2. Provide viability gap funding for solar + battery microgrids in remote eco-zones to eliminate generator noise and improve comfort.

3. Simplify net-metering approvals by creating a “Green Tourism Window” on the APSPDCL portal.

4. Expand solar street lighting in key tourist routes for safety and reduced municipal load.

Conclusion

The research confirms that renewable energy is no longer a peripheral concern but a core driver of tourism competitiveness in Andhra Pradesh. The primary data from 100 hospitality units establishes a strong link between power reliability, green amenities, and tourist satisfaction (R2=0.68, X2=18.96). APSPDCL’s initiatives, particularly in Tirupati, demonstrate the viability of large-scale RE integration.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Katherapalli Vijay Kumar Reddy. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.