Latest news with #UPNEDA
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Schools to harness solar power to meet electricity demand
1 2 Prayagraj: All govt, aided and unaided schools of Prayagraj will soon have solar rooftop plants installed under PM Surya Ghar Yojana to meet the electricity demand. This initiative aims not only to reduce electricity bills but also to teach students about the importance of renewable energy sources. Sources said principals of all secondary schools in the district have been asked to begin preparations for this transformation. The initiative falls under the PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme and is supported by the office of the chief development officer (CDO). The goal is to ensure that schools can meet a substantial portion of their electricity needs through self-generated solar energy. Schools have been advised to register on the official portal ( Following registration, vendors for solar panel installation must be selected from the empanelled list available on the UPNEDA solar rooftop portal. For any queries or support, schools may contact the project officer, UPNEDA. This step is expected to have a multifaceted impact. Financially, it will ease the electricity burden, with potential savings of up to 70% on power bills. These savings can in turn be redirected to improve infrastructure and other developmental areas in schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Environmentally, it aligns with India's broader renewable energy goals. Educationally, it provides a live model for students to learn about sustainable living and solar energy systems. The process includes either online or offline application under the scheme. A technical evaluation team will visit the school to assess the size and placement of the required panels. Only registered vendors will be permitted to carry out installations, and schools are also eligible for subsidies under the scheme. The authorities have emphasised that all related work must be completed within the current academic session, ensuring that benefits start reaching institutions as early as possible.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
NBT Conclave: Lucknow must prioritise water reuse, say experts
1 2 Lucknow: City authorities must prioritise water reuse systems to reduce dependence on depleting groundwater reserves, experts said at the 'Bhujal Suraksha, Bhavishya Ki Raksha' event organised by Navbharat Times and the UP groundwater department on Friday. Former Lucknow municipal commissioner and current director of UP NEDA Inderjit Singh highlighted the city's advances in wastewater treatment. Lucknow generates 770–800 million litres of sewage daily, of which 120 MLD is treated at jal nigam's GH canal-based plant. Advanced technology brings BOD and COD levels below 10 and with tertiary treatment, the water is safe for reuse. This treated water can refill urban lakes like Butler Lake, can be used to clean roads, irrigate over 2,400 parks and support construction, Metro and fire services. "Using recycled water not only eases groundwater demand but also improves air quality by reducing dust," he said. He cited Kathauta Lake—now filled with treated canal water—as an example that reduced dependence on deep tubewells in Gomtinagar and Indiranagar. Ongoing desilting by Jalkal is expected to further enhance the lake's capacity. Singh warned that over-extraction pushed tube wells to depths beyond 200 metres in some areas—a trend that reuse initiatives can help reverse. LDA vice-chairman Prathmesh Kumar said rainwater harvesting is mandatory for buildings over 300 sq-mt and smaller colonies are being encouraged to adopt shared recharge structures. He also spoke of lake restoration projects—Butler Lake, Kalapahad Jheel and Udyan Lake—linking them with stormwater recharge in urban planning. Architect Anupam Mittal stressed reviving rooftop harvesting and traditional systems like wells. "The earth is a natural filter," he said, citing successful conservation efforts in Kanpur. WaterAid India's state programme director Smriti Singh said water use and reuse should be integrated at the project planning stage. She highlighted the role of women in water management and recommended recharging dug wells in chemically contaminated areas. Dibyajyoti Halder from CMS called schools "change agents" and advocated water audits and awareness campaigns involving students. In an earlier session, hydrogeologist R S Sinha of the groundwater action group said UP uses nearly 20 billion cubic litres of water annually for sugarcane farming. Extraction from deep layers brings harmful minerals, affecting crops and human health. He noted a 15% decline in rainfall and urged area-specific groundwater planning using current data. Yogesh Bandhu Arya, state coordinator of the 2030 water resources group, said 42% of UP's irrigation relies on canals. Under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, micro-irrigation campaigns will begin in 20 villages to promote efficient water use. Dr Asad Umar from Aga Khan Foundation India stressed the need for public awareness. Dr Venkatesh Dutta, head of environmental science at BBAU, said the monsoon period reduced from 18 to 12–15 days, causing runoff and poor recharge. Despite a 45,000-km river network, effective water management remains a challenge. In closing, Dr Asad called for decentralised groundwater governance through community participation. Dr Dutta urged reuse and nature-based water return. V K Upadhyay emphasised mass awareness. Arya highlighted that 80% of clean water goes to irrigation, which can be cut through micro-irrigation. Sinha concluded by citing how Kathauta lake now meets Gomtinagar and Indiranagar's water needs, replacing deep borewell dependence. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
RENEWABLE POWER OBLIGATION: Regulator reprimands UPNEDA for data laxity
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has strongly reprimanded the state's designated nodal agency, UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency), for gross non-compliance and delays in furnishing Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) data. The power regulator has warned that the agency's laxity could invite penalties for defaulting power entities and undermine clean energy goals. RPO is a regulatory mandate requiring large electricity consumers to purchase a fixed share of their power from renewable sources like solar, wind, or biomass. It is aimed at cutting carbon emissions and promoting clean energy in the state. However, most entities are not meeting this obligation or the date on their meeting the obligation is not available. In a suo motu order last week, the commission expressed dissatisfaction with UPNEDA's handling of its responsibilities under the UPERC (Promotion of Green Energy through Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2010. 'Despite repeated directions, the agency has failed to ensure timely and complete reporting from obligated entities—distribution licensees and large power consumers required to purchase a portion of their electricity from renewable sources,' it noted. According to the order, UPNEDA has so far submitted compliance data for only 378 out of 509 obligated entities, that too only from 2019-20 onwards. This is despite the Commission's earlier directive that data from 2010-11 onwards must be submitted, in line with statutory provisions. 'The compliances by UPNEDA have been really pathetic,' the order reads, underscoring that UPNEDA is still struggling to provide even the annual compliance data for all obligated entities, while the regulations mandate quarterly and yearly reporting The commission also criticised UPNEDA's inability to enforce compliance, revealing that nearly 35%-40% of the obligated entities are either non-compliant or only partially compliant. In such cases, UPNEDA should have filed petitions and ensured that show cause notices were issued for deferment or purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), it said. The commission reminded UPNEDA that its role as the State Nodal Agency is crucial for driving renewable energy adoption. The agency was supposed to monitor compliance and generate timely reports—functions that have been severely compromised due to data gaps and administrative inertia. During the hearing, UPNEDA's director Inderjit Singh appeared in person and informed the commission that data collection for the remaining entities was underway. However, the commission found the progress unsatisfactory and directed UPNEDA to submit a comprehensive compliance report covering all obligated entities from 2010-11 onward within a month. In a move aimed at modernising the compliance process, the commission advised UPNEDA to launch an online portal to collect yearly, quarterly, and estimated RE requirement data. It also instructed the agency to update its website with information on registration and accreditation of renewable energy generators. The commission has fixed July 8, 2025, as the next date of hearing. However, the personal appearance of the UPNEDA director has been dispensed with till further orders.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Farming meets solar in U.P's clean energy drive
In a significant step towards promoting clean energy, Uttar Pradesh has issued letters of agreement (LoAs) to over 100 developers for establishing solar power plants with a combined capacity of more than 1,527 MW aimed at supplying solar power to agriculture feeders. These solar power plants will be set up under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) C-2 scheme. The initiative targets solarisation of approximately 5,000 agriculture feeders, ensuring eight hours of uninterrupted daytime power supply to tubewells/pump-sets for irrigation. The UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has already segregated around 80% of the agriculture feeders from the domestic ones for assured and reliable power supply for fixed eight hours for irrigation. 'The UP government has fixed the target of generating 2,000 MW of solar power under KUSUM C-2 by 2027 and against it we have already issued LoAs for more than 1,51,527.2 MW of solar power to over 100 developers who will set up solar plants adjacent to the identified sub-stations catering to separate agriculture feeders,' UPNEDA secretary and chief project officer, Pankaj Singh said. The UPPCL will procure the solar power generated under the scheme for 25 years for ₹2.99 per unit, ensuring stable revenue for developers and long-term income for farmers. 'The scheme provides an opportunity for farmers and landowners to lease barren or unutilised land to solar power developers under pre-fixed agreements. UPNEDA has developed a dedicated online portal where interested farmers can register their land free of cost for leasing. Solar plants can be set up within a 5-10 km radius of identified substations, requiring around four acres per megawatt of capacity,' project officer Rakesh Agrawal said. The financial framework for developers includes a maximum central assistance of ₹1.05 lakh per MW and a state government grant of ₹50 lakh per MW as Viability Gap Funding, totaling ₹1.55 crore per MW. Under the scheme, farmers/ group of farmers/ panchayat / cooperative / Farmer Producers Organization (FPO) and project developers can participate in the tender. Also, under the scheme, farmer's land near the selected substations is to be leased by the selected Solar Power Project Developer for 27 years at a mutually agreed lease rent which will ensure a steady income for the farmers. 'For farmers, the scheme ensures a steady income through land lease payments and reliable daytime solar power for irrigation. Developers benefit from access to land, guaranteed power purchase agreements, and government incentives. DISCOMs gain access to affordable solar power, reducing power purchase costs and AT&C losses, 'Agrawal explained. The developers selected through a competitive bidding process will have six months' time to set up the plant at the identified sites from the date of the letter of agreement.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ahead of ground breaking ceremony: Set up 10 anchor units under industrial policies, create 78K acre land bank, says CS Manoj Kumar Singh
Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has issued directives to expedite investment projects and prepare eligible projects for the upcoming Ground-Breaking Ceremony (GBC) as part of the state's push towards a $1 trillion economy. Singh, while chairing a review meeting at Lok Bhawan, here on Tuesday, instructed departments to establish at least 10 anchor units under various industrial policies and ensure the timely inclusion of eligible projects in the GBC. He emphasised refining policies in consultation with industry associations and stakeholders to foster a more investor-friendly environment. Departments have been asked to create a 78,000-acre land bank by utilising LDA land, under-utilised department land, and land from sick units. District magistrates and VCs have been tasked with meeting specific land allocation targets. Singh also stressed regular updates on the PM Gati Shakti portal to streamline project execution and directed departments to actively utilise the platform for gap analysis and data management. Invest UP CEO Vijay Kiran Anand reviewed projects exceeding ₹200 crore and urged departments to expedite account management and maintain consistent coordination at the ACS and PS levels. He emphasised effective implementation of 34 operational policies to improve the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) for existing and prospective investors. The officials from key sectors, including UPNEDA, IT & Electronics, tourism, textile, horticulture, dairy, MSME, civil aviation, and UPSIDA, attended the meeting.
