The Uttar Pradesh government is embarking on a pioneering green energy venture by installing solar power plants along the Bundelkhand Expressway. This 296-kilometre expressway, a major infrastructure project in the state, is set to become a hub for solar energy generation with an ambitious target of 450 MW.
The initiative is backed by a detailed project report (DPR) prepared by the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), an organisation renowned for supporting green energy transitions. Saurabh Kumar, Vice-Chairman of GEAPP, has confirmed that the study identified potential for 450 MW of solar power along both sides of the expressway, a proposal that has been formally approved by the Uttar Pradesh government. On August 9, Uttar Pradesh’s Industrial Development Minister Gupta Nandi and Chief Secretary convened a meeting with stakeholders and solar energy experts in Lucknow to discuss the project’s scope. The retired IAS officer indicated that the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) is now in the process of facilitating bids for the project, with an expected completion timeline of around 15 months.
The solar plants will occupy a 15-metre-wide corridor flanking the expressway, a strategic use of space that could provide power for the entire stretch. This project, estimated to cost Rs 1,800 crore, could also pave the way for the establishment of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, addressing a key challenge in EV adoption—insufficient charging infrastructure. The electricity produced is expected to cost between Rs 4 and Rs 4.50 per unit. Kumar highlighted that this solar power initiative is a first-of-its-kind project in India, setting a precedent for integrating renewable energy with infrastructure development. It is expected to bring multiple benefits including providing clean energy to nearby villages, enhancing the visual appeal of the expressway, and creating job opportunities. However, Kumar also noted that land availability poses a significant challenge, given the extensive agricultural use in Bundelkhand. Efficient land use and identifying small parcels with high energy potential are crucial for the project’s success.
GEAPP, which includes founding partners such as the Rockefeller and IKEA Foundations and the Bezos Earth Fund, is dedicated to facilitating green energy transitions in developing countries. This ambitious project underscores Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to renewable energy and serves as a model for future infrastructure-integrated solar power initiatives.
