The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is set to embark on a renewable energy initiative, intending to deploy 550 MW of solar arrays along the Bundelkhand Expressway. The ambitious project aims to illuminate both the roadway and nearby residences while facilitating e-mobility solutions, as reported by local media sources.
The Uttar Pradesh government has entrusted the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) with spearheading this venture across 1,700 hectares of identified land along the 296-km-long expressway.
The selection process has progressed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage after presentations by eight solar developers, including notable entities such as Torrent Power and Avaada Energy. The development is slated to follow the public-private partnership model.
UPEIDA anticipates that upon completion, the solar project will yield INR 40 million (USD 480,000/EUR 440,000) in lease rent and generate an annual profit of INR 500 million from the sale of electricity. This strategic undertaking aligns with the state's broader objectives of advancing sustainable infrastructure and harnessing renewable energy sources to power key transportation corridors.