AP and EESL Launch Araku Heat Pump Pilot to Support Eco-Tourism

Heat Pump

INDIA: The Andhra Pradesh government has partnered with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to implement a pilot air source heat pump (ASHP) project in Araku, with work expected to begin in January 2026. As the state’s first such initiative, the project will cover the design, installation, testing, and commissioning of ASHP systems to meet water and space heating needs at tourist facilities in the region.

Situated near Visakhapatnam, Araku has developed into a major tourist hub in Andhra Pradesh, attracting large numbers of visitors each year due to its winter temperatures that often fall below 10°C and its generally mild climate during the rest of the year. The memorandum of understanding for the project was signed at the recent CII Partnership Summit held in Visakhapatnam.

Officials stated that the project is based on geothermal principles, which utilise stable underground temperatures to deliver energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable heating and cooling. The Araku initiative is expected to deliver annual energy savings of 50–70%, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 300 tonnes per year, offer a system life of over 15 years with minimal maintenance, and employ eco-friendly refrigerants.

Source: AP Government, India