To cut costs and control pollution, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to develop alternative energy sources, including solar, and reduce reliance on traditional thermal and hydropower.
According to an official statement issued on Monday, Adityanath stated at a solar energy meeting that electricity would play the most important role in transforming the state into a USD 1 trillion economy.
To meet the rising electricity demand, the chief minister has also directed officials to prioritise solar energy. According to him, the state government has introduced a new Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy - 2022, which includes many concessions for investors in the sector.
The government plans to build 18 solar cities to increase solar energy production. The statement stated that Noida and Ayodhya will be developed first, followed by 16 municipal corporations. Adityanath stated that the power generated at these solar cities would account for 10% of the state's total.
The emphasis was also placed on increasing solar power generation to provide cheap electricity to the people of Uttar Pradesh, including investors.
According to the statement, Uttar Pradesh's electricity consumption is expected to increase by 16% per year over the next five years, reaching 53,000 MW.
A solar park capable of producing 4,000 MW of electricity per day is being built rapidly in Bundelkhand to increase output. Solar energy will be supplied from the electricity feeder intended for agriculture and rural supply in the first phase of the solar park.
In addition, the pumps used to irrigate the fields will be entirely powered by solar energy. According to the statement, green corridors will also be built to supply solar energy to various districts.
