Chandrababu Naidu unveils Rs 340 crore ethanol plant in Nellore

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has inaugurated a series of socio-economic initiatives, including an ethanol project, of the Chinta Sasidhar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Vishwa Samudra Group. The inauguration took place at the Nandha Gokulam campus in Edagali village, Nellore district.

Among the key initiatives, the Chief Minister Naidu launched the Vishwa Samudra Ethanol Plant, a major green venture aimed at supporting farmers by purchasing damaged and broken rice to produce bio-ethanol. Calling it a “farmer-friendly green initiative,” Naidu said the grain-based ethanol plant, spread across 24 acres, has a production capacity of 200 kilolitres per day and includes a captive power generation unit. The plant will supply ethanol to oil marketing companies under the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).

The Vishwa Samudra Group, led by Chairman Chinta Sasidhar, has invested around ₹450 crore in various socio-economic initiatives at Nandha Gokulam, including ₹340 crore for the bio-ethanol plant alone. The facility is expected to create direct employment for 250 people and indirect opportunities for over 300 others.

Highlighting the broader impact, Naidu said the bio-refinery will process agricultural feedstock into ethanol, contributing to both rural income generation and India’s clean energy goals. The plant will procure nearly 15,000 tonnes of broken rice every month from more than 300 rice mills within a 250-km radius, strengthening local economic linkages and ensuring steady income for farmers.

“Ethanol production has seen significant growth in recent years, and projects like this will further help India reduce its import dependence while empowering the farming community,” Naidu added.

The event was attended by Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and other senior officials. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Nandha Gokulam Life School and the Nandha Gokulam Save The Bull Cause initiative on the same campus.

Andhra Pradesh is already making strides in bioenergy that includes massive investments from energy conglomerates like Reliance which is building 500 CBG projects in the state. Previously, Assago Industries vowed investment of Rs 270 crore for setting up an ethanol plant at APIIC Industrial Park, Gummalladoddi (East Godavari) with a capacity of 200 kilo liters per day (KLPD).