Ayodhya to Become Uttar Pradesh’s First Solar Energy Model City
Lucknow – In a significant move towards sustainability, Uttar Pradesh Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma announced that Ayodhya will become the state’s first solar energy model city under the UP Solar Energy Policy-2022. As part of this initiative, 10 percent of Ayodhya’s total electricity demand will be fulfilled through renewable energy sources. The government has allocated Rs 15.75 crore for Ayodhya’s solar transformation, alongside Rs 40 crore for solar projects in other cities.
Solar power plants are being established in 16 other municipal corporations across the state. The Solar City program is being implemented after proposals are submitted through municipal commissioners and approved by the State Level Committee.
Ayodhya’s Solar Transformation:
In the financial year 2023-24, Ayodhya witnessed significant developments under its Solar City Program. Key highlights include:
- Installation of 766 smart solar street lights, 2,300 solar street lights, 250 solar high masts, and a 3.33 MW on-grid solar power plant.
- A 50 kW off-grid solar power plant and a solar-based cold storage facility with a capacity of 6 metric tons have also been set up.
- 40 solar trees with 1 kW capacity and 18 solar trees with 2.5 kW capacity have been installed.
- 10 solar water kiosks have been established.
- Two solar boats now operate on the Saryu River for tourism, and a 40 MW solar plant has been installed on the riverbank.
Notably, 487 smart solar street lights have illuminated a 10.25 km stretch from Laxman Fort to Nirmali Kund along the Saryu River.
In the upcoming financial year 2024-25, additional installations in Ayodhya will include 150 smart solar street lights, 1,100 solar street lights, and 75 solar high masts.
Other Cities Embrace Solar Energy:
In addition to Ayodhya, numerous municipal corporations across the state are adopting solar energy solutions under the Solar City Scheme. The year 2023-24 saw installations such as:
- Varanasi Municipal Corporation: 1,512 solar street lights and 200 smart solar street lights.
- Jhansi Municipal Corporation: 150 solar street lights and 20 smart solar street lights.
- Agra Municipal Corporation: 200 smart solar street lights, 100 solar high masts, and 20 solar trees.
- Aligarh Municipal Corporation: 39 smart solar street lights and 35 solar heritage high masts.
- Prayagraj Municipal Corporation: 460 solar street lights.
- Lucknow Municipal Corporation: 244 solar high masts, 100 solar street lights, and 10 solar trees.
- Kanpur Municipal Corporation: 100 solar heritage high masts, 170 solar high masts, and 1,600 solar street lights.
- Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation: 100 solar high masts and 100 solar street lights.
- Bareilly Municipal Corporation: 80 solar high masts and 720 solar street lights.
- Shahjahanpur Municipal Corporation: 11 solar high masts and 100 solar street lights.
- Moradabad Municipal Corporation: 70 solar high masts and 150 solar street lights.
Proposed Plans for 2024-25:
In the current financial year, ambitious solar projects are planned, such as:
- Varanasi Municipal Corporation: 500 solar street lights, 100 solar high masts, and 10 solar trees.
- Lucknow Municipal Corporation: 30 smart solar street lights, 60 solar high masts, and 800 solar street lights.
- Kanpur Municipal Corporation: 20 solar heritage high masts, 1,000 solar street lights, and a 75 kW on-grid solar power plant.
- Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation: 500 solar high masts and a 160 kW on-grid solar power plant.
A.K. Sharma emphasized that these solar initiatives are transforming Uttar Pradesh into a leader in clean energy, setting the state on a path toward sustainable urban development and energy self-sufficiency.
