How Bundelkhand is powering UP’s solar industry? Bundelkhand now accounts for 500 MW daily of the solar energy produced by the state and is part of an ambitious plan by the Yogi government to develop the region into a solar power hub. The solar energy policy in 2017 was created to promote
private participation in the field of solar energy. Under this, a solar park was established and solar power was given open access to third-party sales. Under the incentive provisions, along with the provision of online single window clearance, a 100 per cent stamp duty exemption was provided for solar power projects and 100 per cent exemption in electricity duty for 10
years. Eleven private solar power companies have so far set up power stations in the region.
How Bundelkhand is powering UP’s solar industry? Bundelkhand’s population density--just 329 per sq. km compared to UP’s 829—means a lot more open spaces. The 70,000 sq. km region comprises seven districts--Bundelkhand, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jalaun, Jhansi and Lalitpur--and juts
thumb-like into Madhya Pradesh.
The districts together may account for only four parliamentary seats of the 80 but it makes up a geographical zone that is 28.7% of the total area of Uttar Pradesh. It’s also a backward, dry region, with average rainfall at around 800-900 mm per year. But in the last six years, Bundelkhand has received only 400-450 mm. A big impact has been on agri production—the region used to
How Bundelkhand is powering UP’s solar industry? contribute 15 per cent of the state’s total food grains in 2000; now it's down to 7 per cent. Solar power plants started coming up in the region some years. A 70 MW solar power plant was commissioned in 2013 in Lalitpur. By 2016, about 200 MW power was being supplied from private solar power plants installed at Panwadi (Mahoba) and Hamirpur. A 20 MW solar power plant at Chahitara village in Banda district has also been in operation since 2016 with the power produced supplied to the 220 KV substation of the Power Corporation located in Banda.
How Bundelkhand is powering UP’s solar industry? Today, some 500 MW is generated daily by the solar plants. Solar power generation has also started in Chitrakoot, where Adani Solar Energy Ltd has commissioned a 25 MW solar power plant in Chhibon village. Ravi Varma, executive engineer (transmission)
of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) in Banda, says the electricity generated at Chhibon's solar power plant will be taken to the Mau and Chitrakoot substations. Another 50 MW solar power plant has also been installed in Chhibon village. It will become operational on January 30. On its commissioning, the total capacity of two solar power plants in Chitrakoot district
will be 75 MW. An officer of the UPPCL says that with the competition among solar energy companies, electricity rates have also come down. Earlier these companies were selling electricity at the rate of Rs 7 per kilowatt (unit), now it is down to Rs 3 per unit. The Yogi government is planning a green energy corridor to generate 4,000 MW of solar power in Bundelkhand. This will need an investment of about Rs 5,500 crore on the development of transmission system for the extraction of energy produced in this corridor. The target will be achieved by installing 1,000 MW worth projects every year from 2021 to 2025. Under the Ultra
How Bundelkhand is powering UP’s solar industry? Mega Renewable Solar Power Park Scheme of the ministry of new and renewable energy, the Indian government has in principle consented to setting up a 1,200 MW solar power park in Jalaun.
The park will be set up by Bundelkhand Solar Energy Limited (BSUL), a joint venture of UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency).and NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) Limited. Under this scheme, inprinciple consent has been given for the installation of 600 MW solar power parks in Jhansi and Lalitpur.