Lucknow – The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh is making significant strides toward environmental sustainability by promoting solar energy while simultaneously focusing on large-scale skill development and employment generation for the youth. With an ambitious vision, the state government aims to train 30,000 young individuals in the solar energy sector by 2027 and provide them with meaningful employment opportunities.
To accelerate this mission, the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), in collaboration with the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Government of India), is running skill development programs. These initiatives aim to equip youth with solar energy-related technical skills, helping them become self-reliant in the coming years.
Solar Energy Sector Opening Doors to Employment
The state government believes that the growing demand for solar energy will lead to job creation in technical roles such as installation technicians, solar panel maintenance engineers, and site supervisors. Special training programs are being organized to meet this demand.
Under the ‘Suryaghar’ scheme, a phased training program for vendors is already underway. Nearly 1,800 individuals have been trained so far. Additionally, schemes such as the Surya Mitra Training Programme, Solar Shops Scheme, and Surya Sakhi Yojana are being implemented to involve not just the youth but also rural women, empowering them with skill-based employment opportunities. The ultimate aim of these schemes is to make Uttar Pradesh self-sufficient in solar energy while enhancing the economic strength of women and youth.
Targeting 22,000 MW of Solar Power Generation by 2027
The state has set an ambitious target of generating 22,000 megawatts (MW) of solar energy by 2027. This total has been divided into specific segments:
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Residential Solar Rooftops: 4,500 MW (20%)
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Non-Residential Solar Rooftops: 1,500 MW (7%)
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PM-KUSUM Scheme: 2,000 MW (9%)
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Utility-Scale Solar Projects: 14,000 MW (64%)
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, farmers are being provided with solar-powered pumps, which will help reduce irrigation costs and offer an additional income source through energy generation. Similarly, rooftop solar programs for both residential and commercial buildings will allow consumers to meet their own electricity needs by installing solar panels.
With this multi-faceted approach, Uttar Pradesh is not only promoting green energy but also paving the way for inclusive growth by fostering employment and entrepreneurship in rural and urban areas alike.
