Araku Valley Launches Heat Pump Pilot to Promote Sustainable Tourism

In a significant step toward sustainable infrastructure and climate-friendly tourism, Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh has launched a pilot project deploying air-source heat pumps to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency in eco-tourism facilities. The initiative is being implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in collaboration with state authorities, marking one of the early real-world demonstrations of heat-pump technology in India’s tourism sector.

Heat pumps are highly efficient systems that extract heat from ambient air and use electricity to provide heating, significantly reducing dependence on fossil fuels such as diesel or LPG. Under the Araku pilot, the technology is being used to meet hot-water and heating requirements at tourism accommodations, helping cut energy consumption by up to 60–70% compared to conventional systems. The project is expected to reduce approximately 300 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, while also lowering operational costs for facility operators.

Officials see this pilot as a scalable model that can be replicated across hill stations, resorts, hospitals, and residential projects across India. As the country works toward its net-zero ambitions, integrating efficient technologies like heat pumps into public infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. The Araku project highlights how climate-smart infrastructure can support local economies, promote eco-tourism, and contribute meaningfully to India’s clean energy transition.