Uttar Pradesh is rapidly advancing its renewable energy landscape with ambitious solar projects, targeting 22,000 MW by 2026-27. Key developments include mega solar parks in Bundelkhand, floating solar plants, and rooftop installations under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. These initiatives aim to reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and position UP as a solar energy hub, contributing to India’s green energy goals.
Uttar Pradesh’s Solar Surge: Driving India’s Green Energy Revolution
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is making significant strides in renewable energy, particularly solar power, as it aims to achieve a 22,000 MW solar capacity by 2026-27. As of July 2024, the state’s installed solar capacity stands at 3,105.59 MW, a remarkable 13-fold increase from 289 MW in 2017. This growth is driven by the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022, which outlines a roadmap for 14,000 MW from utility-scale projects, 6,000 MW from rooftop solar, and 2,000 MW from distributed generation.
The Bundelkhand region, with its abundant land and optimal solar radiation, is a focal point for large-scale solar projects. In March 2024, Bundelkhand Solar Energy Limited announced a 1,200 MW solar power project in Jalaun district. Additionally, three ultra-mega solar parks are under development in Jhansi (600 MW), Lalitpur (600 MW), and Chitrakoot (800 MW), with a combined investment of ₹10,000 crore. These projects, led by NTPC Green Energy and Hinduja Group, are expected to be operational by December 2025, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.3 million tonnes annually and generating 39 million carbon credits over 30 years.
Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) projects are also gaining momentum to address land scarcity. A 20 MW FPV plant is operational at Auraiya Dam, while a 150 MW grid-connected plant is under construction at Rihand Reservoir in Sonbhadra. Plans are in place for a 50 MW floating solar plant at Bhakhira Bird Sanctuary, with feasibility studies underway by the Lucknow Solar Power Development Corporation Limited. The state has identified 4,128 waterbodies suitable for FPV systems, offering a sustainable solution to land constraints.
Rooftop solar initiatives are transforming urban and rural landscapes. In July 2024, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) auctioned 500 MW of rooftop solar projects for government buildings, with tariffs as low as ₹4.85 per kWh. The PM Surya Ghar Yojana aims to equip 2.5 million households with solar panels, with 48,000 homes already covered and 30,000 more targeted by the end of FY 2024-25. Ayodhya is being developed as a model solar city, with a 40 MW solar plant under construction by NTPC, while 16 other municipal corporations, including Noida, are slated for similar transformations.
The state is also innovating with agrivoltaics, combining solar energy production with agriculture. Pilot projects in Agra have shown promise, with funding secured from the Asian Development Bank for larger-scale initiatives. This approach optimizes land use and enhances electricity access in rural areas. Additionally, the Bundelkhand Expressway is set to become India’s first solar expressway, with a 550 MW solar park along its sides, powering 100,000 nearby households.
UPNEDA has facilitated significant investments, securing ₹7.5 lakh crore at the Global Investor Summit in February 2023, with a substantial portion allocated to solar and clean energy projects. Major players like Avaada, Amplus, Adani, and NTPC are actively establishing solar projects, supported by joint ventures with THDC, NHPC, and SECI. Approximately 8,000 acres of land have been allocated for solar installations, with an additional 22,000 acres identified for future projects.
The state’s Green Energy Corridor in Bundelkhand, designed to evacuate 4,000 MW of power, is a critical infrastructure project. It supports the development of nine solar parks with a total capacity of 3,710 MW, of which 435 MW are already commissioned. The corridor’s plug-and-play infrastructure is attracting private investment, ensuring seamless power evacuation.
Beyond solar, Uttar Pradesh is advancing bioenergy and green hydrogen. The state’s Bioenergy Policy 2022 targets 1,000 tonnes per day of compressed biogas (CBG), with 24 CBG projects operational at 210 TPD. The Green Hydrogen Policy 2024 aims to produce 1 million metric tons per annum by 2029, with 20 MoUs signed with developers. These efforts complement solar initiatives, creating a holistic renewable energy ecosystem.
Challenges remain, including the need to add 9 GW of solar capacity annually to meet the 2026-27 target, which experts deem ambitious. Land acquisition and tariff concerns have occasionally delayed projects, as seen in the cancellation of a 500 MW solar auction in 2021 due to expectations of lower tariffs. However, the state’s proactive policies, including 100% stamp duty exemptions for solar projects and subsidies for utility-scale systems with battery storage, are addressing these hurdles.
Uttar Pradesh’s renewable拷
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from reliable sources, including the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), government announcements, and industry reports. All data is accurate as of the latest available information. The views expressed are based on factual developments and do not reflect the opinions of All India Press.