The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a Rs 18 billion plan to install 450 MW solar power plants along both sides of the 296-km Bundelkhand Expressway. The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) conducted the study, estimating the project cost and projecting electricity rates at Rs 4 to Rs 4.50 per unit.
GEAPP’s detailed project report has been approved by the state, and the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) will soon begin bidding for the project. The initiative is expected to be operational within 15 months.
The solar power plants will be installed along 15 meters of space on each side of the expressway, potentially leading to its electrification and the installation of EV charging stations. This large-scale project is expected to benefit nearby villages with clean energy and employment opportunities.