AP partners with WEF to set up Centre for Energy & Cyber Resilience

After pitching for global investments in Andhra Pradesh to sustain double digit growth at the World Economic Forum Summit early this year, the State Government has set up the WEF–AP Centre for Energy and Cyber Resilience in Amaravati.

The initiative is a part of the government’s broader “Swarnandhra Vision 2047 to transform the State into a $2.4 trillion economy. Earlier, the government established a Task Force led by the Chief Minister with Tata Sons Executive Chairman N. Chandrasekharan and others identify the economic growth avenues in the State.

GO Ms. No. 59 was issued on Thursday stating the WEF-AP Centre of Energy and Cyber Resilience will help position AP as a global hub for innovation and sustainable development. The initiative is described as a part of the government’s broader Swarnandhra Vision 2047 outline the establishment of this pioneering centre under the WEF’s global Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) Network. It will be India's first thematic centre and shall broadly focus on, a senior official said.

It will promote energy transition and green industries in collaboration with WEF’s Centre for Energy and Materials (CENMAT), and facilitate AI-led Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity in collaboration with WEF’s Centre for Cybersecurity.

The initiative is pursuant to meetings with WEF at Davos andis expected to position Amaravati as India’s leading center on green energy, sustainability and cyber security as per the discussions initiated by Naidu during his Davos visit along with a high-power team.

The project is being spearheaded by Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh with the goal of boosting AP’s international presence and attracting investments in clean energy, AI, and digital infrastructure.

The State Government has sanctioned Rs.36 crore for a period of three years to support the centre’s activities. The centre will operate initially from Vijayawada or Amaravati, and will be governed by a high-level committee chaired by Minister Lokesh.

The key objectives of the centre are to raise AP’s global profile and build international partnerships, support the growth of green industries and improve cyber security, run pilot projects in clean energy, smart grids, and use of AI in areas like farming and governance, train people in cybersecurity and new technologies, and connect the State with global platforms like the WEF annual meeting at Davos.