Uttar Pradesh Govt Greenlights Solar Power Projects Worth Rs. 10,000 Crore.

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved solar power projects worth approximately Rs 10,000 crore as part of its plan to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 22,000 megawatts (Mw).

As part of the ambitious roadmap, three major solar power projects, each with a capacity of 2,000 Mw, will be developed in the Bundelkhand region, covering Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Chitrakoot districts. The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has also issued bidding documents for an additional 1,200 Mw solar plant in Jalaun, Bundelkhand. Other proposed solar projects are slated for locations such as Mirzapur, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.

NTPC Green Energy is set to develop 800 Mw and 600 Mw plants in Chitrakoot and Lalitpur, while Hinduja Group will build a 600 Mw unit in Jhansi. These projects, selected by UPNEDA, are expected to be operational by December 2025.

The Bundelkhand region, with its vast land and optimal solar radiation, has been identified as an ideal location for large-scale green energy initiatives. Additionally, the state government is planning to set up floating solar plants across various reservoirs in collaboration with NTPC, Tehri Hydro Development Corporation, and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam.

In a bid to further its green energy objectives, the Yogi Adityanath government is also focused on increasing compressed biogas, biocoal, and biodiesel production. Over the next two years, Uttar Pradesh aims to expand biogas capacity to 1,000 tonnes per day, biocoal to 4,000 tonnes per day, and biodiesel to 2,000 kilolitres per day.

The government has drafted a comprehensive blueprint for expanding power infrastructure over the next decade, which includes the construction of modern power plants and upgrades to existing facilities, ensuring a steady energy supply to support industrial growth.

Uttar Pradesh estimates that the shift to solar energy will save the state Rs 1 trillion by reducing conventional energy costs. The integration of solar energy into the Jal Jeevan Mission, which includes 41,000 projects, is expected to further lower energy bills.

In addition to economic benefits, the projects will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.3 million tonnes annually and are expected to generate 39 million carbon credits over the next 30 years. The state government is also targeting the production of 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen/green ammonia per year by 2029.

BS