CM Yogi Adityanath virtually inaugurates 70 MW Avaada Solar Power Project in Banda

Lucknow : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Friday, stated that his government is actively developing Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur as solar cities. He virtually inaugurated the 70 MW Avaada Solar Power Project in Banda from his official residence.

The CM emphasized that Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become a major hub for renewable energy in the country, with Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions offering the greatest potential for solar power generation.

CM Yogi highlighted that the state government is advancing a green energy program with a target of around 22,000 MW. To support this, UPNEDA has identified a 23,000-acre land bank. The state is urgently driving this initiative, aligning with the Solar and Bio Energy Policy-2022 and the Green Hydrogen Policy-2024.

He described the plant’s inauguration as a milestone in realizing investment proposals from the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors Summit, highlighting that it will generate employment for over 400 people.

CM Yogi also shared that under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, solar panels are planned for 25 lakh homes across the state, with 18 lakh registrations already completed.

CM Yogi stated that a vast network of canals is available for farmers in the state. Over the last seven and a half years, under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, additional irrigation facilities have been extended to 23 lakh hectares of land through these canals.

He suggested that these canals could also be harnessed for solar energy production, contributing to the state’s energy output. He encouraged the Avaada Group, which has invested in a solar plant in Banda and a solar panel manufacturing plant in the state, to explore further opportunities in the renewable energy sector within Uttar Pradesh.

CM Yogi stated, “We aim to create 60,000 ‘Solar Mitras’ in the state. So far, 6,000 Solar Mitras have already been trained. In the coming times, Bundelkhand can become a significant centre of renewable energy. This initiative will not only generate employment and job opportunities but also reduce our dependence on traditional energy sources.”

Energy Minister AK Sharma, Minister of State for Energy Somendra Tomar, Minister of State for Jal Shakti from Banda Ramkesh Nishad, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, and Avaada Group head Vineet Mittal were present with CM Yogi in the program.