Uttar Pradesh Approves First Floating Solar Power Plant in Lalitpur by GAIL

Uttar Pradesh has approved its first floating solar power plant to be built on the Maudaha reservoir in Lalitpur, developed by Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) with an investment of ₹257 crore. The 49 MW facility is expected to be operational in 18 months and will provide captive energy for GAIL's gas processing operations.

The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has identified six sites for floating solar projects, with the first phase having a total potential of 440 MW. The government has issued guidelines for allotting reservoirs for these projects under the Solar Energy Policy-2022.

The remaining five identified reservoirs include Barusagar, Dukma, Pathrai, Gunta, and Upper Khajuri. The initiative aims to enhance renewable energy capacity while minimizing land-use impacts.