Uttar Pradesh Reserves Land for India's Maiden Solar Expressway

The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated 1,700 hectares of land alongside the 296 km Bundelkhand Expressway for the establishment of solar energy plants. The UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is currently in the process of formulating the project's blueprint, aiming to transform the Bundelkhand Expressway into India’s inaugural solar-powered expressway.

Companies like Torrent Power have expressed interest in the ambitious 550-megawatt (Mw) project, which is slated to undergo competitive bidding to select a private developer under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

According to a senior state government official, leveraging solar energy to illuminate the expressway and approximately 100,000 nearby residences will contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions and generate substantial energy cost savings.

The project's anticipated lifespan is 25 years, with a projected payback period of 10-12 years. Several potential bidders, including Tusco, Torrent Power, Somaya Solar Solutions, 3R Management, Avaada Energy, Atria Brindavan Power, Erisha E Mobility, and Mahapreit, have presented their proposals.

This solar initiative is not only expected to meet the energy requirements of households along the expressway but will also serve as a cornerstone for e-mobility and local socioeconomic development.

Uttar Pradesh is actively exploring the prospect of powering additional expressways in the state, including the Purvanchal Expressway, Agra-Lucknow Expressway, Gorakhpur Link Expressway, with solar energy. This move is aimed at promoting green and renewable energy while enhancing the infrastructure for e-vehicle charging.

The Yogi Adityanath-led government is aggressively augmenting power generation capacity to meet the escalating energy demands across various sectors, encompassing domestic, industrial, commercial, and agricultural segments.

In response to the surging peak-hour energy demand surpassing the 28,000 Mw mark, the government is initiating brownfield and greenfield solar and thermal energy projects throughout the state.

Moreover, the state is gearing up to invite bids for solar energy projects totaling 7,000 Mw in two phases, with a long-term target of achieving 25,000 Mw of solar energy generation. Concurrently, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has amended the Rooftop Solar Power Regulations, 2019, to promote solar energy adoption, extending the net metering facility to government and private educational institutions. This amendment is anticipated to benefit approximately 200,000 power consumers and enhance the viability of educational institutions in the state.

BS