Uttar Pradesh Achieves 528 MW Solar Power Milestone, Aims for 22,000 MW by 2030

Uttar Pradesh has made significant strides in its renewable energy journey by achieving a key milestone: generating 528 MW of solar power. This accomplishment is a crucial part of the state’s broader initiative to develop nine solar parks with a combined capacity of 3,840 MW, primarily in the Bundelkhand region and other strategic areas. These efforts have attracted substantial investment, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leading force in India's renewable energy sector.

Currently, Uttar Pradesh ranks fifth in large-scale solar energy production in India, following Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Over the past year, the state has successfully commissioned 528 MW of ground-mounted utility-scale solar projects. This is just the beginning, as Uttar Pradesh has ambitious plans to add another 6,800 MW of solar capacity in the coming years.

The state’s solar initiatives are supported by the Government of India's scheme for developing solar parks and ultra-mega solar power projects, under which a total capacity of 39,250 MW has been sanctioned nationwide. So far, 11,591 MW of solar capacity has been established across 22 solar parks in the country.

In addition to solar parks, the Uttar Pradesh government is placing strong emphasis on promoting rooftop solar installations on residential buildings, developing solar towns, and expanding solar power usage in agricultural farms, pump storage, and bio-energy production. This diversified approach is helping to boost the state’s renewable energy output and support its growing energy needs. Uttar Pradesh currently ranks second in the nation for biomass energy production, underscoring its commitment to a multifaceted renewable energy strategy.

A key component of the state’s solar strategy is the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, under which solar power plants are being installed on the rooftops of 2.5 million homes, providing each household with 300 units of free electricity. Uttar Pradesh has set an ambitious target of generating 22,000 MW of solar energy by 2030, with 6,000 MW coming from rooftop installations on private and government buildings, and 14,000 MW from solar utility projects and solar parks.

As of now, Uttar Pradesh has installed a total of 3,871.17 MW of grid-connected renewable capacity. Additionally, 2,594 MW has been generated from ground-mounted projects for captive use, third-party sales, and open sales to DISCOM and UPPCL. Rooftop solar systems with a capacity of 375 MW have also been installed in homes across the state, further contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals.

The state is also making progress under the PM KUSUM Yojana, with 16.17 MW of grid-connected tubewells now powered by solar energy. In a move to further empower the agricultural sector, Uttar Pradesh is focused on solarizing farmers' private on-grid pumps and dedicated agricultural power feeders. Solar energy is also being harnessed to power drinking water pumping stations across 61 districts in the state, with a total capacity of 886 MW.

With its ambitious targets and ongoing projects, Uttar Pradesh is on track to become a renewable energy powerhouse, leading the way in India’s transition to a sustainable energy future.