India's Solar Energy Hub Will Soon Be Uttar Pradesh: UPNEDA

• January 5, 2024
• By: Yukti Kasera
• NEWS

A total of INR 1 lakh crore ($12 billion) in solar and other clean energy projects are planned for the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

With nearly 125 projects in the works that will cost an estimated INR 1 lakh crore to build, Uttar Pradesh is making good progress toward its goal of achieving 40% of its energy needs from solar and other renewable sources.

According to the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), four sizable solar projects valued at INR 35,000 crore will be established in the first phases in various districts of Bundelkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Anupam Shukla (IAS), Director, UPNEDA, Government of Uttar Pradesh, stated, “The state government had received investment proposals to the tune of INR 40 lakh crore at the Global Investor Summit (GIS) held in 2023 and solar power and other clean energy projects under the ‘Akshay Urja’ Scheme accounted for a significant share of the total investment,"

According to Shukla, Uttar Pradesh currently produces about 2,152 MW of solar energy, of which 372 MW is available for public use. The highest concentration of solar plants, or almost 60% of the state's total solar energy production, are found in the Bundelkhand region.

Over the last six years, the state's solar energy generation has increased significantly, reaching nearly 279 MW. This growth has been facilitated by various incentives, rebates, concessions, and promotions provided by the state government under the new Solar Policy.

“Under the current investment pipeline, Sonbhadra in Eastern Uttar Pradesh will witness the setting up of an off-stream close-loop pump storage project by Greenko Group generating 3,660 MW of electricity at an estimated outlay of INR 17,000 crore. A 1 GW floating solar plant on Matatila Dam in the Lalitpur district to be set up by TUSCO Ltd is likely to come up at an estimated investment of INR 6,500 crore. Bundelkhand Solar Energy Ltd will set up a 1.2 GW solar power park in the Jalaun district, while ACME Cleantech Solutions will set up two off-stream closed-loop pumps [storage projects] in Prayagraj and Meerganj area.”

In the Eastern Uttar Pradesh region's Bhakhira Bird Sanctuary, the Uttar Pradesh government plans to build a 50 MW floating solar power plant. A feasibility study on the establishment of a ground-mounted or floating solar plant in the Bakhira Lake area is being carried out by the Lucknow Solar Power Development Corporation Limited (LSPDCL), in collaboration with the State District Administration and Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).

“The state government is also looking to energize all the 1,994 odd cold storages with a total storage capacity of 1.65 crore metric tonnes, with solar energy. Under the Solar City program, a 40 MW solar power plant is being established on 165 acres of land in Ayodhya by NTPC. The land has been identified, and the project is underway. Part of the project has already commenced and the remaining is expected to be operational by March 2024,” the UPNEDA Director added.

The Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh is focusing on the development of Ayodhya too. The government is trying to make it a solar city and reduce its dependence on electricity. 

Making Ayodhya a solar city was the topic of a seminar held at Circuit House, with Special Secretary Additional Energy and Director UPNEDA Anupam Shukla serving as the main speakers and Ayodhya Mayor Mahant Girish Pati Tripathi as a special guest. All of the Municipal Corporation's ward council members took part as well.

"A solar development seminar workshop was organized by the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) today at Circuit House to discuss the solar project. Work on the solar project in Ayodhya is going on at a fast pace," said Anupam Shukla, Director, UPNEDA.

Sanskritik Ayodhya aims to establish Ayodhya as India's cultural hub. Based on this plan, projects like building magnificent city gates, constructing monasteries, temples, and ashrams, and initiating initiatives like temple museums are being carried out.

Saksham Ayodhya is a concept that aims to make Ayodhya a fully self-sufficient city. It seeks to generate a large number of jobs through regular employment, travel, and religious and cultural pursuits. This holy city is currently being developed into a contemporary city with a variety of amenities under Adhunik Ayodhya. The city is being shaped by projects like Greenfield Township, Safe City, Smart City, and SolarCity.

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