Lucknow, 23 April (HS) : In a bid to diversify the energy sector and to promote solar power plants in Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi Adityanath Government of the state has been taking effective steps towards large scale solar power generation. With this, the government has also formulated an action plan to create employment opportunities for the youth residing in rural areas through these solar power projects.
According to a spokesperson of the state government ever since Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth took over the reins of Uttar Pradesh, the work to develop the state as a ‘hub’ of solar energy has been intensified. With an aim to ensure that the state becomes self-reliant in terms of its energy needs and utilise alternative sources of power generation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government had approved a 1535 megawatts (MW) project in the state to boost solar energy generation, which was earlier considered inaccessible by the state, he said.
The spokesperson said that through these projects taking shape at a cost of Rs 7500 crore, the state government is preparing to bring about major changes in the field of power generation. In order to promote solar power generation, the Yogi government also waived off hundred per cent land registration fees (stamp duty) for those willing to set up solar power plants. As many as 24 solar power projects of 420 MW capacity are being operated under the project.
Solar pumps will irrigate the fields
He said that by promoting the use of solar-powered pumps for irrigation purposes across the fields of UP, the Yogi Government has not just made the lives of the farmers easier but also has transformed the rural areas in the state by installing over 1,80,000 solar power pack plants in the homes of the poor and needy in the villages.
Solar energy-driven pump set is an emerging alternative of electrical and diesel pump systems in farm irrigation. Since solar powered pumps can be operated during the day time, farmers do not have to work late in the night when electricity is usually supplied to them. It is also a boon for farmers who have not been able to get electricity connection
In addition to this, the government is also working to install 225 MW solar rooftops in the villages. The installation of as many as 18823 solar pumps has been expedited to irrigate fields in the villages.
Solar-street lights illuminating rural markets & haats
The spokesperson said that the dedicated efforts of the Yogi Government to promote solar power generation has been reaping results as the solar-street lights have been illuminating the rural Uttar Pradesh.
The solar-powered LED streetlights in markets, haats and streets in all development blocks have lit up rural parts of the state. As a part of Deendayal Upadhyay Solar Streetlight Scheme, as many as 25,304 solar street lights are to be installed in the coming time. Apart from this, 13, 791 solar street light plants will be set up in selected revenue villages under the Mukhyamantri Samagra Gramya Vikas Scheme.
The LED streetlights that automatically turn on after sunset and switch off in the morning have also made life easy and safe for people, especially women, living in rural areas and has minimised dependence on conventional power supply.
Private entities to collaborate in setting up solar power units
A private investment of Rs. 2480 crore has been invited by the Yogi government under the Bio-Energy Enterprise Promotion Policy. With this help, 180 MW capacity solar power generating units will be set up at a cost of Rs 720 crore, the spokesperson said. The government has implemented ‘Energy Conservation Building Code 2018’ for saving energy in commercial buildings.
Over 3400 solar RO water plants installed in primary schools
To provide basic amenities and ensure supply of pure potable water in the remote areas of Uttar Pradesh, so far, more than 3400 solar RO water plants have been installed by the Yogi Government in primary schools of the state, he added.
Ekmusht samadhan scheme for farmers
He said that the Uttar Pradesh government allowed an exemption in interest surcharge to as many as 67,09,767 consumers under the Ekmusht Samadhan scheme. Not only this, now the people of the village are using the e-sanyojan app scheme to avail online power connection at home. The government also gave a big relief by waiving the entire surcharge on the domestic electricity bills of as many as 21,25,543 consumers. The entire surcharge on the electricity bill of 39767 private tubewells of farmers has also been waived.
Optical fibre cables across villages to improve connectivity
Aiming at fast-track growth of digital communication infrastructure and universal access of broadband at every village, the Yogi Adityanath government, under the National Broadband Mission, has connected as many as 31,149 gram panchayats of the state with optical fiber, he said. With this, 7786.52 circuit kilometers 33 kV Lines are also being constructed. Underground cables have been constructed at 32 places in 24 districts. Against the target set under the IPDS scheme to lay 4024 circuit km of underground cable work has been completed on 3682 circuits km.
