Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a major initiative to honour the legacy of former Union Minister Kalpnath Rai by redeveloping one of India’s earliest off-grid solar power projects into a state-of-the-art 5 MW Solar Energy Park in Mau district.
The announcement was made by Urban Development and Energy Minister A.K. Sharma on the occasion of Rai’s death anniversary. Sharma said the initiative would preserve the late leader’s contribution while reinforcing the state’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable development.
The project centres on the 100-kW off-grid solar power plant established in 1992 at Saraisadi in Ghosi, Mau district, one of the country’s pioneering solar energy installations. The plant has remained non-functional for nearly 25 years. The state government has now initiated steps to revive and modernise the facility using advanced technology.
Under the proposal, the capacity of the ageing solar plant will be increased nearly 50-fold, transforming it into a 5 MW Solar Energy Park equipped with modern infrastructure. The redevelopment is expected to breathe new life into the historic project while contributing to Uttar Pradesh’s expanding renewable energy capacity.
As part of the initiative, the government has also proposed naming the solar park after Kalpnath Rai and installing his statue within the premises. The move aims to ensure that future generations remain aware of his contributions to public service and the development of the energy sector.
A.K. Sharma said the proposal reflects the government’s commitment to preserving the state’s energy heritage while promoting clean and green energy. He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has achieved significant progress in the renewable energy sector, and the redevelopment of the historic solar facility represents another important milestone in that journey.
The minister described the initiative as a forward-looking step that combines heritage conservation with modern energy infrastructure. Once completed, the upgraded solar energy park is expected to serve as both a tribute to Kalpnath Rai’s legacy and a symbol of Uttar Pradesh’s growing focus on sustainable and renewable energy development.
