"UP Government Proposes Establishment of 8 Renewable Energy Projects Valued at Over Rs 67,000 Crore"

Uttar Pradesh's power sector is set to receive a significant boost as prominent renewable and hydroelectric energy firms have put forward plans to develop eight projects with a combined investment exceeding Rs. 67,000 crore.

Private sector entities including Torrent Power, Greenko Group, JSW Neo Energy, ACME Cleantech Solutions, Amunra Infratech and Agritech, and Avaada Water Battery are among those involved in these ventures.

The projects, totaling 13,250 megawatts (MW) in capacity, will be located in Sonbhadra (six projects), with one each in Chandauli and Mirzapur districts.

The most substantial project, focusing on the pumped storage power (PSP) model, is proposed by Torrent Power in Sonbhadra. With an investment of Rs. 24,200 crore, it aims to generate 4,150 MW of hydropower.

Similarly, Greenko Group plans to invest over Rs. 17,000 crore to produce 3,660 MW of energy in Sonbhadra, with expectations of bringing transformative change to the Obra Block in the economically backward district.

These projects are anticipated to be launched during the Groundbreaking Ceremony (GBC) 4.0 in Lucknow on February 19, alongside more than 14,000 projects valued at Rs. 10 trillion.

Highlighting Sonbhadra's significance as the energy hub of Uttar Pradesh, officials underscored the environmental benefits of PSP projects, noting their role as sustainable and eco-friendly energy sources.

PSP projects function akin to batteries, storing and releasing power as per demand, without disrupting local water ecology as they are not integrated into river systems.

With the state's peak hour power demand surpassing 25,000 MW, Uttar Pradesh seeks to diversify its energy sources, focusing on renewable alternatives to complement thermal power generation.

Furthermore, the state aims to achieve a production capacity of one million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen. At the UP Global Investors Summit (GIS) 2023, the state secured green hydrogen proposals worth Rs. 2.73 trillion from 20 companies, signaling its commitment to sustainable energy initiatives.

BS