UP govt to install solar power plants on Bundelkhand Expressway

Saurabh Kumar, Vice-Chairman, GEAPP, confirmed the findings and the project's approval. On August 9, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi and Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh engaged with various stakeholders and solar energy experts in Lucknow to discuss the project's details.

GEAPP is now assisting the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) with the bidding process, with the project expected to be ready for commissioning within the next 15 months. UPEIDA has also requested GEAPP to conduct similar studies for four other expressways in the state, with the Bundelkhand Expressway project set to become a model for future developments.

The project, estimated to cost around Rs 18 billion, will see solar power plants installed along a 15-meter-wide strip on both sides of the expressway. The electricity produced is expected to cost between Rs 4 and Rs 4.50 per unit. This initiative will not only electrify the expressway but also potentially lead to the installation of electric charging stations, addressing a significant barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles.

In addition to providing clean energy, the project is expected to benefit nearby villages and create employment opportunities, enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of the expressway. Despite challenges such as limited land availability due to agriculture, the arid regions of Bundelkhand hold significant potential for renewable energy development.

GEAPP, supported by foundations like Rockefeller, Ikea, and the Bezos Earth Fund, is working globally to assist developing countries in their transition to green energy.

(ET)