Uttar Pradesh to have its own solar power policy

LUCKNOW: UP will soon have its own solar power policy that will lay down the guidelines for setting up of solar power plants by private parties and other organisations. Further, the UP chief secretary asked all DMs to identify pocket of lands in villages of their districts for setting up of solar power plants.

The UP New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has been entrusted the task of facilitating the setting up of solar power plants in the villages. UP has proposed to set up solar power plants to achieve 1,000 MW production till 2017.

Around five acres of land is required for one MW of solar power project. The state government is planning to utilise the barren tracts of land in the villages.

According to officials in UPNEDA, private players will be encouraged to set up solar power plants. The SP government has given thrust to solar power and a solar power policy for 2012-17 will be soon implemented for the first time in the state.

Under the solar policy, the thrust will be in the Bundelkhand region for setting up solar power plants.

The state government will also give several incentives to private players who will set up solar power plants. According to the proposed solar power policy, generation of solar power will be treated as industry and as such all relevant incentives under industrial policy of the state will be available to solar power plants.