PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone of 600 MW Solar Park in Jhansi, UP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a 600 MW solar power park in Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand on Friday as part of his visit to Mahoba and Jhansi districts to launch multiple development projects worth over Rs 6250 crore which are aimed at alleviating issues of water shortage for farmers in the region.

The move seeks to convert Jhansi’s Bundelkhand region, which possesses abundant land and sunlight, into a “solar power hub” in the state.

According to the government spokesman, the Jhansi project is one of the three ultra-mega solar parks that are proposed to be set up in the region to generate 2,000 MW solar power in “plug and play mode” under the Centre’s Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPP) scheme.

TUSCO Ltd, a joint venture of the THDC India Ltd and the New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), has been given the mandate to set up these projects. The developer has already identified 2,609 acres of private land 242.3 acres of government land in six villages under the Garautha tehsil of Jhansi for the development of the solar park there.

“Besides the 600 MW solar park in Jhansi, the foundation stone of which is to be laid by the Prime Minister on November 19, the action is also being taken to set up a 600 MW solar park in Lalitpur and 800 MW solar park in Chitrakoot,” a senior official of the alternative energy department was quoted as saying in media reports.

 “As per the detailed project report (DPR), the total project cost of the Jhansi solar park is Rs 3,013 crore, of which Rs 313.18 crore will be spent on the creation of the park and Rs 2,700 crore will be used in setting up solar units in the park,” the official said, adding, “The Centre will provide 30 per cent of the project cost.”

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) will buy the power to be generated from the solar park. The project will help provide cheaper electricity and grid stability, the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) said.