The Yogi Adityanath government plans to replace conventional energy by non-conventional energy as the state will generate 10,700 megawatt of solar electricity by 2020.
Minister for Non-conventional Energy Brajesh Pathak said the government was promoting rooftop solar system besides switching government offices to solar power supply-mode.
During the second groundbreaking ceremony in Kanpur to be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 8, foundation stones of projects worth over Rs 9,300 crore of alternative energy would also be laid, the minister said.
The government is providing free solar kits under the Saubhagya scheme in those areas where electricity cannot be supplied through conventional method. The beneficiaries of this scheme would get almost free electricity for five year, the minister said.
“Under this scheme, around 27,410 houses in 2,197 villages have been given solar kits by which each house can light five LED bulbs, run one ceiling fan and charge mobile phones,” Pathak said.
“The government is committed to providing clean and efficient power supply to the consumers. Therefore, hefty subsidy is being given to the beneficiaries,” the minister told reporters here while highlighting the achievements of the Alternative Energy department.
“UP is fast turning into a green energy state with around 20,000 MW proposals in the pipeline. Once implemented, this will replace the traditional thermal power in the state,” he added.
Pathak said that tenders had already been awarded for generation of 1,385 MW solar power in the state at an estimated investment of Rs 6,925 crore. Besides, he said, in the bio energy sector, 10 investments to the tune of over Rs 2,461 crore were in progress.
Pathak, who also holds the portfolio of Law department, said the government had also sent a proposal to the Centre for Rs 4,000 crore green energy corridor in Bundelkhand. He said the first floating 150 MW solar plant would come up at Rihand dam.
Pathak said that through transparent bidding process, the rate of solar power had come down sharply.
“Before the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state, the solar power rate charged by generation company was around Rs 7-8 per unit but now through competitive bidding, the rate has come down to just Rs 3.02 per unit,” he said.
Appealing to the people to install rooftop solar panels for getting clean power for their own use, the minister said that after subsidy, a consumer would have to pay just around Rs 27,000 per kilowatt unit.
The minister also said that the Alternative Energy department had installed 6,500 solar streetlight units while in the rural areas, 19,000 solar streetlights had been installed. He said in 1050 government primary schools, solar power unit had been installed for running RO water plant and fans.
