10,700 MW solar power plants by 2022, says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday announced that his government aims to set up 1000 MW solar power projects every year between 2021 and 2025.
He added that the government has set the target of installing 10700 MW solar projects by 2022 and would electrify 1 lakh households with the help of solar power under Saubhagya Scheme.
Addressing Renewable Energy Investor Meet and Expo-2020, Yogi said till date around 970 MW capacity solar power projects have already been set up in the state.
‘100% waiver of stamp duty on land acquired for solar power generation’
“Under solar energy policy (2017), private players have been allocated generation of 1122 MW solar power. Of this, 500 MW is expected to roll out by March 2021,” he said.
The CM said a 1200 MW ultra-mega park is proposed to be developed in Jalaun by UP New Energy Development Authority (UP Neda) and National Hydro-electric Power Corporation. He added that a 600 MW power plant each in Jhansi and Lalitpur were also in the pipeline.
Outlining the steps already taken by the state government to promote solar power projects, Yogi said solar power projects were being set up in Bundelkhand and east UP region with the help of private players.
“Besides establishing solar power parks in the state, solar power policy allowed third party open access. Already, a target of 10,700 MW capacity solar power projects has been fixed by 2022. Of this, solar power projects account for 6400 MW while rooftop solar power plants will contribute 4300 MW,” he added.
Yogi said under solar power policy, the state government was providing various facilities to developers. “This includes 100% waiver in stamp duty on land acquired for the purpose of solar power generation, 100% waiver on electricity duty for 10 years, rebate on getting environmental clearance, 50% rebate on transmission charges on power generated for being distributed within the state,” he said.
The CM added that the state government would also bear the cost of laying of transmission lines depending on the capacity of power plant.
“To promote solar energy in Bundelkhand region, the state government has come up with green energy corridor for production of 4000 MW solar power. Under this, the state government will spend around Rs 5,500 crore for transmission lines,” he said.
“The quantum of power generated and its consumption is the base of economic development in a state. Power consumption is the key in agriculture, industry, transport and employment generation,” he said, adding that UP was ahead in terms of geographical location and manpower, because of which development and industrialisation was being carried out with the help of renewable energy.
Yogi said the state government understood the importance of energy generation, especially through solar energy and biofuel, which had unlimited potential in the state.
“The PM Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme, envisaging setting up of power plant on barren land, is being implemented. The scheme is also being implemented to energise tube-wells,” he added.