 "Akhilesh Yadav")
The solar power unit, spread over 250 acres, has been set up by Essel Infraprojects Limited (EIL) under the levelised power tariff scheme.
EIL is a part of the Subhash Chandra-promoted and the diversified Essel Group.
The solar power plant spans two villages of Kuhana and Shajahanpur in Jalaun. The power purchase agreement (PPA) of the plant is valid for the next 25 years and is estimated to generate 85 million units per annum.
The existing UP Solar Power Policy 2013 is aimed at enhancing renewable energy generation. The state government intends to ramp up solar power generation by 500 Mw with the help of private sector.
The state had also announced the solar mini-grid and rooftop solar plant policies to encourage the renewable energy space. The government has set the objective of providing 24- and 22-hr power supply in the urban and rural areas, respectively, by 2017.
UP routinely witnesses power demand-supply gap of 1,000-2,000 Mw and the situation is particularly dismal in the rural pockets. The solar power segment is expected to ease the burden on the grid during peak hours.
Speaking on the occasion, company Chief Executive Officer and Director Ashok Agarwal said the plant would play a pivotal role in reducing the carbon footprints by 45,000 tonne and help light 25,000 houses in the state.
EIL is Essel Group’s flagship infrastructural company, with verticals like core infra, green and integrated utilities. Under green vertical, the company has commissioned solar projects in Maharashtra and Karnataka, and has an upcoming project in Tamil Nadu. It has been awarded a solar photovoltaic project in Punjab.
