To propel the adoption of solar energy, Uttar Pradesh will transform 19 major urban centres as solar cities including the spiritual and religious hotspots of Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Working on a similar template, the state government will progress towards building solar villages in near future.
In this regard, Ayodhya is taking the lead as a solar city with significant strides witnessed in the installation of solar infrastructure.
Concurrently, preparations are underway to inaugurate a large-scale solar plant in Varanasi, further cementing UP as a frontrunner in the solar energy sector.
Answering a query in the state legislative assembly last week, UP energy minister A.K. Sharma underscored the state’s vision of emerging as a leader in the solar energy domain.
“Ayodhya stands at the forefront with the successful commencement of solar energy production. While, 14 megawatt (mw) of solar energy is already being generated in Ayodhya, an additional 40 mw capacity has been installed and the production poised to start soon,” he informed.
The Ayodhya solar city project encompasses installation of 2,500 solar-powered streetlights, underscoring the city’s commitment to sustainability.
Earlier, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated a solar boat in Ayodhya, which also boasts of solar-powered ATMs and solar trees adorning 40 major intersections.
Meanwhile, rooftop solar plants will be set up across government buildings in Varanasi. The holy city is slated to witness the installation of 25,000 rooftop solar plants, positioning it as a beacon of solar innovation.
In the same vein, hectic efforts are underway to replicate the transformative solar city model of Ayodhya and Varanasi in 17 metropolitan cities including Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Mathura etc.
Meanwhile, recognising the pivotal role of charging infra in accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption, plans are underway to establish charging stations in UP to propel the adoption of electric vehicles and foster a sustainable mobility ecosystem.
The imminent rollout of a comprehensive roadmap for charging station deployment underscores the government’s commitment to facilitating EV adoption on a mass scale.