In a significant stride towards scaling up its renewable energy capacity, the Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled detailed guidelines for the allocation of reservoirs and dams to establish floating solar power plants across the state.

Released under the provisions of the Solar Energy Policy-2022, the new guidelines will be executed by the state's irrigation and water resources department. The process for inviting online applications from developers commenced on Tuesday and will remain open until 30 April.

“In the initial phase, we are inviting applications for six of the 35 identified water bodies across the state. These floating solar plants are expected to generate 440 MW of green power,” said Narendra Singh, Project Officer at the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).

The first phase includes the allotment of Barusagar, Dukma, and Pathrai dams in Jhansi; Gunta dam in Chitrakoot; and Upper Khajuri dam in Mirzapur.

According to the notification dated 14 March 2024, a total of 35 sites have been earmarked for the installation of floating solar projects. The allocation will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Each dam or reservoir will be eligible for 100 MW of solar power capacity, while smaller reservoirs under 200 MW can be fully utilised.

This initiative is part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader vision to achieve 10,000 MW of solar power generation through innovative, land-efficient means. The floating solar plants will not only contribute to cleaner energy but also help optimise the use of idle water bodies for sustainable development.