Uttar Pradesh to develop 17 major solar cities; Ayodhya and Kashi frontrunners

To propel the adoption of solar energy, the Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled plans to transform 17 major cities of the state into solar cities including revered cities of Ayodhya and Varanasi. 

Under the initiative, the development of solar cities will take place first and then the government will work towards building solar villages on the same pattern. Notably, the administration has already started its efforts to establish Ayodhya as the inaugural solar city.

“Progress in this endeavor is well underway, 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 Uttar Pradesh’s status as a frontrunner in the solar energy sector,” an official statement from the Chief Minister’s office informed. 

Recently, state’s Energy Minister A K Sharma underscored Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to solar energy advancement and revealed that the state is poised to emerge as a leader in the solar energy domain, with initiatives already gaining momentum.

“Notably, Ayodhya stands at the forefront of these efforts, with the successful commencement of solar energy production. A remarkable 14 MW of solar energy is already being generated in Ayodhya, while an additional 40 MW capacity has already been installed and the production is poised to start soon”, Sharma said.

Ayodhya- Varanasi’s solar initiatives  

Ayodhya’s solar city project encompasses the installation of over 2,500 solar-powered streetlights, enhancing the sacred city’s commitment to sustainability.

In January last month, CM Yogi Adityanath started a solar boat service in Ayodhya. The city already boasts solar-powered amenities such as ATMs and solar trees adorning its 40 intersections, epitomising the city’s embrace of renewable energy solutions.

With Ayodhya spearheading the solar energy adoption, another major city Varanasi is making a foothold to install rooftop solar plants across government buildings. 

Under the project, Varanasi is slated to witness the installation of 25,000 rooftop solar plants, positioning it as a beacon of solar innovation, PTI reported.