CIL and UPRVUNL Sign Pact to Set Up 500 MW Solar Plant in Uttar Pradesh

In a significant stride towards sustainability, Coal India Limited (CIL), the country’s largest coal producer, has agreed with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) to establish a 500 MW solar power facility in Uttar Pradesh. The MoU was officially inked in Lucknow, marking a pivotal step in the two entities’ commitment to green energy. The project is poised to deliver clean power to the state, aligning with India’s broader aim of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. This collaboration signals CIL’s growing focus on diversifying its energy portfolio and reducing its carbon footprint.

This latest venture follows CIL’s recent tie-up with the Damodar Valley Corporation to develop a high-capacity thermal power plant in Jharkhand, backed by an investment of ₹16,500 crore. The Uttar Pradesh solar project reinforces the company's ongoing shift towards balancing its conventional energy base with sustainable alternatives.

UPRVUNL, a key player in the state’s power generation sector, will contribute its technical expertise and regional insights to the project. With favorable solar conditions and supportive government policies, Uttar Pradesh offers a promising landscape for renewable energy development. News of the partnership gave a modest lift to CIL’s stock, which rose by 0.53% to ₹386.45 on May 5, despite broader market challenges that have seen its shares dip over 11% in the past six months.

The solar plant is expected to generate green jobs, reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the state’s clean energy infrastructure,  a move seen as both environmentally responsible and strategically smart for India's energy future.