Uttar Pradesh is going to present the state’s prestigious Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects with solar power at the Regional Conference on Good Governance in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, organized by the Government of India. The state’s innovative adoption of solar energy in more than 80% of its JJM projects has generated significant national attention for its cost-effective and environmentally sustainable approach. Senior bureaucrats from all the states will be studying the UP model during the conference, hoping to lay a blueprint for replication across India.
The integrated use of solar power has reduced the costs of operation and carbon emissions of the state of Uttar Pradesh in its water supply schemes. Of the 41,539 JJM projects in the state, 33,157 are solar-powered, producing 900 megawatts of electricity a day. This large-scale integration of renewable energy has positioned Uttar Pradesh at the forefront of mission-based sustainable practices.
The conference would host a presentation by Uttar Pradesh’s Additional Chief Secretary of Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, Anurag Srivastava. The presentation will highlight how the initiative has guaranteed solar-powered projects for longer durations of operation at minimal costs. Besides this, it has also ensured the skilling of 12.50 lakh rural individuals for operating and maintaining solar-based systems, thus encouraging local employment and skill development.
Recognized as a model of good governance by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Uttar Pradesh’s efforts demonstrate the effectiveness of renewable energy in public projects. By leveraging solar power, the state has not only optimized resource utilization but also contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Raipur conference aims to motivate other states to take similar models forward, making use of the success of Uttar Pradesh’s plans for governance and sustainability in water supply projects. This is a critical step towards providing a means to articulate local initiatives with national and global sustainability goals.
Source: PTI