UP Positioned As Epicenter For Solar Energy Growth: Energy Minister AK Sharma

Uttar Pradesh has become one of India’s top performers in solar energy production, with 09 solar parks being established across the state. These parks have a combined power generation capacity of 3,840 MW, and 528 MW of electricity is already in production. The state ranks fifth in the nation, following Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, in large-scale solar energy projects.

Energy Minister A.K. Sharma highlighted that these solar parks are being set up in Bundelkhand and other regions, attracting significant investments in the renewable energy sector. Sharma emphasized that Uttar Pradesh has made substantial progress in renewable energy, including rooftop solar installations, solar cities, and solar-powered agricultural farms. The state also ranks second in biomass energy production.

Ambitious Solar Targets and Projects

Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, solar power plants will be installed on 25 lakh rooftops in Uttar Pradesh, providing residents with 300 units of free electricity. The state aims to produce 22,000 MW of electricity from solar energy, including 6,000 MW from solar rooftop plants on private and government buildings and 14,000 MW from solar utility projects and solar parks.

So far, Uttar Pradesh has installed 3,871.17 MW of grid-connected renewable capacity. This includes a 2,594 MW ground-mounted project for captive use and third-party sales, and 375 MW of rooftop solar systems on homes. The state has also made strides under the PM Kusum Yojana, operating 16.17 MW grid tube wells with solar energy and solarizing private on-grid pumps for farmers.

National Solar Energy Initiatives

The Government of India has approved a scheme for the development of solar parks and ultra-mega solar power projects with a total capacity of 39,250 MW. To date, 11,591 MW of solar projects have been established in 22 solar parks across the country. Uttar Pradesh has seen significant progress, with 528 MW ground-mounted utility scale projects commissioned in the last year and work ongoing to set up 6,800 MW utility-scale projects.

Energy Minister A.K. Sharma noted that while Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh are leading in solar project capacity, Uttar Pradesh is making its mark with large-scale initiatives and investments in solar energy. The state’s efforts are contributing to the national goal of expanding renewable energy production across India.

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