AP attracts Rs 700 crore investment to Kakinada SEZ

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh’s sustained push to attract industrial investments is yielding tangible results, with a major new project set to come up in the Kakinada Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Chennai-based Green Coke Energy Private Limited has announced plans to invest Rs 700 crore to establish a metallurgical coke manufacturing plant, marking another significant addition to the state’s growing industrial landscape.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project was signed between Green Coke Energy and Kakinada SEZ Limited. The agreement was formalised by Green Coke Energy Managing Director Natarajan and SEZ Managing Director and CEO Ram Reddy. The proposed plant will be set up over approximately 80 acres near AV Nagaram within the SEZ limits.

The facility will focus on producing metallurgical coke, a critical raw material used in steel manufacturing. Officials said the project is expected to generate around 1,000 direct jobs and an equal number of indirect employment opportunities, providing a major boost to local livelihoods. The development is also likely to accelerate industrial activity in surrounding areas, particularly Tondangi and Uppada mandals in Kakinada district.

The investment comes amid the state government’s aggressive efforts to position Andhra Pradesh as a preferred industrial destination. Recent initiatives, including the foundation stone laying for the Mittal Steel plant in Anakapalli district, highlight the government’s focus on large-scale manufacturing and infrastructure development.

Kakinada SEZ has already emerged as a key industrial cluster, hosting major units such as Aurobindo Pharma’s Livius facility and other port-based industries. Notably, the Rs 2,500-crore Lifius Pharma unit was recently inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, further reinforcing investor confidence in the region.

With the addition of Green Coke Energy, the SEZ is poised to evolve into a major industrial hub, particularly for energy-intensive and export-oriented industries. Officials said the government is offering attractive incentives and streamlined clearances to facilitate industrial growth, and more investments are expected in the near future.