Lucknow— Uttar Pradesh is making remarkable strides in the solar energy sector, with Energy and Urban Development Minister A.K. Sharma announcing a firm commitment to building a “green economy” through clean energy. Speaking at the “Net Zero Summit” in Lucknow, Minister Sharma stated, “We will make Uttar Pradesh’s economy a green economy with green energy.”
The state has already emerged as a leader in the country, securing the top spot in rooftop solar installations in July 2025 with 27,771 installations. This achievement has been instrumental in boosting the state’s total solar energy generation capacity to 5,157 MW, a figure the government aims to increase to 10,000 MW in the near future. The minister highlighted the dramatic growth from just 389 MW in 2017 and 2,200 MW in 2022, attributing this success to the state’s Solar Energy Policy 2022.
Minister Sharma also noted that Uttar Pradesh is a front-runner in developing its transmission network, distribution systems, and the Green Energy Corridor. To encourage adoption, the government is providing subsidies and facilitating bank loans for installing solar plants on rooftops and along highways. Ayodhya has been designated as the state’s first solar city, with streetlights and homes powered by solar energy, and even solar-powered motorboats operating on the river.
While prioritizing green energy, the minister emphasized the need to increase per capita energy consumption to support the state’s rapid development. The government has balanced this approach by commissioning five thermal power projects with a combined capacity of 4,700 MW over the past three years. This has nearly doubled the state’s total power generation capacity to approximately 21,000 MW since 2017, which includes power from thermal, solar, and hydropower sources.
