The 296-km long Bundelkhand Expressway in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is being planned to become the state's 1st solar expressway as the government intends to use the space alongside for 550 MW PV capacity.
Starting from the Chitrakoot district, the 4-lane Bundelkhand Expressway with 6-lane wider structures ends in the Etawah district. It also covers 8 rivers along the way, according to the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) that's shaping the final project.
Authorities believe this capacity can generate enough electricity to supply 100,000 houses during the project lifetime of 25 years. According to local media reports, the authorities have identified 1,700 hectares of land along the expressway to host this PV capacity.
Through the sale of this clean energy capacity, UPEIDA is eyeing a profit of INR 500 million/year, and an annual INR 60 million in electricity benefits. The lease rent alone is likely to amount to INR 40 million.
Due diligence as well as expression of interest (EOI) for the project has already been completed. As per the reports, 8 solar power developers have made presentations. These are Tusco Ltd., Torrent Power Ltd., Somaya Solar Solutions Pvt. Ltd., 3R Management, Avaada Energy Ltd., Atria Brindavan Power Ltd., Erisha E Mobility and Mahapreit.
Beyond this, the expressway will also be used to deploy electric vehicle charging equipment to boost e-mobility.
Under its Solar Policy 2022, UP aims for 22 GW solar power capacity by 2026-27 through utility-scale, residential and non-residential rooftop solar. The policy targets to promote solar installations on the sides of expressways that run a length of around 2,000 kms with a potential targeted capacity of 500 MW. Solar plants will also be promoted alongside railway tracks (see India PV News Snippets).
Solar power generation along the expressways is aimed at generating clean electricity to meet growing demand and also reduce GHG emissions, according to the reports.
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