UP villages to house solar power plants

Further,for the first time,UP will have its own solar power policy (2012-17) that will lay down the guidelines for setting up of solar power plants by private parties and other organisations. The draft of the proposed policy is awaiting the Chief Secretary’s consent,which is likely by next week. The policy for harvesting solar power is based on the models of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

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.

“Since solar power plants require a vast tract of land for installation,the process has been initiated so that land is is earmarked for the projects,” said Director,UPNEDA,Anamika Singh. Nearly five acres of land is required for 1 MW of solar power project with the state government planning to utilise the barren tracts of land in the villages.

“Private players will be encouraged to set up solar power plants. We have already received a number of interests from private companies,” said Singh.

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. “The draft of the policy is ready and we have made it public inviting suggestions. Once finalised it will be implemented,” said Anamika Singh.

Under the solar policy,in the first phase the thrust will be in the Bundelkhand region for setting up solar power plants. “We are hopeful of getting vast tracts of land in in Bundelkhand region,” Singh said.

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.

Govt nod to new generation industrial city in Kanpur

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav gave in-principle approval to the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation (UPSIDC) for development of New Industrial Hitech City in Kanpur with its independent municipal services,co-generation power plants etc.

The city would be developed on 1,132 acres,which is already available with the UPSIDC near Ganga barrage in Kanpur city.

A 3D presentation in this regard was made today by UK-based Symbiosis Ltd before the CM,after which the concept was given in-principal approval.

“It would be state-of-the-art,one of its kind industrial city,which would be developed in vertical structure through well planned high-rise buildings. The city would be developed on Public Private Partnership model and can be taken up quickly because there will be no land acquisition issues involved. The entire land required is already available with the UPSIDC,” said AK Gupta,Industrial Development Commissioner.

There would be residential-cum-schooling facilities for those working in the industrial area.