Lucknow: In a major push towards renewable energy, state-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) to establish a 500 MW solar power project in Uttar Pradesh. The MoU was signed in Lucknow on Monday, reflecting CIL’s continued commitment to green energy initiatives.
This non-binding MoU marks a key milestone in CIL’s efforts to diversify beyond coal and support India’s transition toward sustainable power generation. The solar power project is expected to play a crucial role in augmenting the energy supply and meeting the growing electricity demand in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.
CIL stated that the agreement also includes provisions for exploring additional opportunities for collaboration in the renewable energy space, potentially paving the way for more joint ventures in the future.
This move comes shortly after Coal India’s pact in April with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to set up an ultra-supercritical power plant in Jharkhand with an investment of Rs 16,500 crore. That plant, designed for high efficiency and lower emissions, highlights CIL’s parallel efforts in cleaner thermal energy as well.
The MoU with UPRVUNL underscores the shifting focus of traditional coal utilities toward renewable energy solutions. As public sector enterprises like CIL play a growing role in clean energy, this development is a significant step toward achieving India’s national renewable energy goals.
