Major Projects in Progress
Uttar Pradesh is on track to establish itself as a leading hub for solar energy. The state is making significant strides in the solar sector, highlighted by the nearing completion of India’s first solar expressway, the Bundelkhand Expressway. The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) has been assigned the task of acquiring 1,500 hectares of land along both sides of this expressway.
Solar Expressway and Solar Park Initiatives
- Capacity and Impact: This mega project will have a capacity of 550 megawatts, which is expected to supply power to 100,000 homes.
- Manufacturing Investment: In addition, Alpex Solar is launching a solar cell manufacturing facility in Mathura, backed by an investment of Rs 642 crore.
Government Ambitions Under Solar Energy Policy
The Uttar Pradesh government is focused on achieving an ambitious goal of generating 22,000 megawatts of electricity by 2027 as part of its Solar Energy Policy. Twelve companies have shown interest in investing in solar parks, which will be developed under the ‘Build, Own, Operate’ (BOO) model.
Overview of Solar Projects
Several significant projects are in development, including the solar expressway and multiple solar parks. The land designated for the solar park stretches 296 kilometers between Chitrakoot and Etawah and has received cabinet approval for a project worth Rs 2,500 crore.
- Current Development Status: Nine solar parks are being developed across the state, with a total production capacity of 3,710 megawatts.
- Progress on Existing Parks: Three of these solar parks, with a combined capacity of 435 megawatts, are nearing completion, while the bidding process for the remaining six parks is underway. Land allocation for all nine solar parks has been finalized.
Locations of Solar Parks
Solar parks are being established in the following districts:
- Jalaun
- Jhansi
- Lalitpur
- Chitrakoot
- Kanpur Nagar
- Kanpur Dehat
- Mirzapur
- Prayagraj