Lucknow, In a groundbreaking initiative, the Uttar Pradesh government is gearing up to establish a 50 MW solar plant within the Bakhira Bird Sanctuary, India’s largest natural floodplain wetland in Sant Kabir Nagar district, a Ramsar site. The move follows a proposal by the district magistrate to the Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA).
UPNEDA Director Anupam Shukla stated, “We are exploring the possibility of setting up a 50 MW solar plant in the Bakhira lake area. Bids will soon be invited from developers, and the plant may be floating or ground-mounted, depending on the feasibility report.”
The Lucknow Solar Power Development Corporation Ltd (LSPDCL), under UPNEDA, will conduct a feasibility study to determine the suitability of the solar plant in Bakhira and recommend whether a floating or ground-mounted facility is more viable given the geographical topography. The LSPDCL, a joint venture of UPNEDA and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), was formed in 2015.
According to UPNEDA Project Officer Narendra Singh, the DM of Sant Kabir Nagar has endorsed the installation of a 50 MW floating or ground-mounted solar plant in the Bakhira lake area. This initiative aims to generate green energy for lighting and other purposes in the sanctuary.
Highlighting the significance of Bakhira Bird Sanctuary, the DM emphasized its development as an eco-tourism and agro-tourism hotspot with strict regulations to attract tourists. The sanctuary was declared a Ramsar site last year, signifying its international importance as a wetland.
This ambitious move aligns with the UP government’s commitment to sustainable energy practices and sets the stage for potential advancements in eco-friendly power generation within ecologically sensitive areas.
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