In its efforts to provide solar energy to both urban and rural areas, the Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is developing solar parks to transform the Bundelkhand region into a solar energy hub.

The largest of these solar parks is being established across 9,000 acres in Jhansi, Lalitpur and Chitrakoot, where a 2,000 MW solar plant will be installed. This will produce 4700 million units of electricity per year.

The process of leasing the targeted land from 32 villages is currently underway. So far, over 8,000 acres (more than 90 per cent of the land) has been secured.

Simultaneously, the Yogi Adityanath government has set a goal to complete all three projects by December 2025. However, experts suggest that the projects may commence ahead of schedule. This endeavour will create over 18,000 employment opportunities.

Swift progress is being made towards developing ground-mounted ultra-mega solar power parks in Jhansi, Lalitpur and Chitrakoot in the Bundelkhand region.

Lalitpur District Magistrate Akshay Tripathi said, “So far, 1,317.80 acres of government land and 1,022.73 acres of private land has been identified to develop a solar park spanning 2,700 acres. Approximately 86 per cent of this land has already been acquired on lease.”

He noted that land has been identified in about nine villages within the Talbehat tehsil area, including Pawa, Sarkhadi, Burma Bihar, Shahpur, Talbehat Andar (Khandi), Piprai, Gevragundera, Jharar and Kadesar Kalan.

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is currently putting up fencing and constructing an internal grid sub-station for solar energy evacuation in these locations.

Tripathi said that this 600 MW capacity plant would generate 1,400 million units of electricity annually and the project would also provide employment opportunities to 210 skilled and 4,850 unskilled workers. Additionally, during the 25-year operation and maintenance period, around 200 skilled and 360 unskilled workers will be employed.

A 600 MW solar plant is being established across 2,700 acres in Jhansi.

Jhansi District Magistrate Avinash Kumar stated, “In accordance with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, the process of acquiring land on lease for the development of a solar park is progressing at a rapid pace. Land from eight villages in Garautha tehsil, namely Khadoura, Jalalpura, Pura, Jaswantpura, Sujanpura, Nadoura, Bararu and Motikatra, has been identified for this purpose.”

He added, “So far, 263.77 acres of government land and 2,328.67 acres of private land has been acquired on lease, completing 96 per cent of the land acquisition process.  The UPPCL is currently working on fencing and constructing an internal grid sub-station for solar energy evacuation. This 600 MW solar power plant will generate 1,400 million units of electricity annually, creating employment for 210 skilled and 4,850 unskilled workers. Additionally, during the 25-year operation and maintenance phase of the project, around 200 skilled and 360 unskilled workers will be employed.”

Besides, the process of leasing land from 15 villages in Mau tehsil for the establishment of an 800 MW solar plant on 3,400 acres in Chitrakoot is currently underway. The villages involved include Chhatainimafi, Khargada, Gahur, Kataiyadandi, Mankachhatani, Chachokhar, Chharehra, Dondiamafi, Kotwamafi, Usrimafi, Bargah, Atari Majra, Goiyakalan, Goiyakhurd and Semra.

So far, 1,249.50 acres of government land and 1,821.51 acres of private land has been acquired on lease, amounting to 90 per cent of the required 3,400 acres. The UPPCL is currently working on fencing and construction of an internal grid substation for solar energy extraction.

This solar plant will generate 1,900 million units of electricity annually. During the establishment phase, 265 skilled and 6,050 unskilled workers will be employed. Additionally, during the 25-year operation and maintenance period of the project, approximately 300 skilled and 450 unskilled workers will receive employment opportunities.