Lucknow, 9 Dec: Eco-friendly solar electricity is likely to play a critical role in keeping farm food fresh and secure in cold storages across UP.
The Yogi Adityanath-led state administration is working to improve the efficiency and environmental friendliness of the state’s 1994 cold storages. These cold storages, which have a total storage capacity of more than 1.65 crore metric tons (MT), would be converted to solar electricity by the installation of rooftop solar plants.
According to authorities from the state Department of Additional Sources of Energy, this endeavour is being performed at a considerably reduced cost. To commence this transformation, a study of all districts in the state has been launched to determine the power loads of these cold storages.
Anupam Shukla, the head of the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA), has directed that this survey be conducted. Shukla directed all project officers to conduct a survey of cold storages in their respective districts, analyzing their capacity, electricity demand, and potential for establishing solar power plants in an order dated November 20.
The statement highlights that this endeavour is part of continuous efforts to transfer companies, institutional buildings, and others to solar power. It also mentions that the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has developed rules and preparations for net billing/net metering of solar electricity generated.
The survey procedure has begun in the districts as a result of these directives. “An order for this had come from the Directorate, after which the load survey is being conducted,” said Shahid Siddiqui, Project Officer, UPNEDA-Prayagraj.
Some cold storage firms have already agreed to the establishment of solar power plants during the initial phase. Following completion of the survey process, the information in the prescribed format will be forwarded to the directorate.”
Agra division leads the way with 542, with a total capacity of 50,31,700.74 MT, followed by Kanpur division with 398 and a total capacity of 40,69,366.47 MT. Aligarh Division has 287 cold storages totaling 24,96,786.47 MT. There are 134 in the Bareilly division, with a total capacity of 7,24,674.42 MT.
There are 117 cold storages in the Lucknow Division with a total capacity of 8,12,753.05 MT, 110 in the Meerut Division with a total capacity of 6,43,379.22 MT, 92 in the Moradabad Division with a total capacity of 5,80,328.75 MT, and 80 in the Prayagraj Division with a total capacity of 5,76,063.79 MT.
There are 42 cold storages in Prayagraj district, 19 in Fatehpur district, 10 in Kaushambi district, and 9 in Pratapgarh district.
Officials say that solar-powered cold storage units are significantly more cost-effective than running a similar-capacity electric plant. They say that if one uses non-renewable energy sources in an area where the power rate is Rs. 8/unit. The cost of solar energy would be around Rs. 3-4/unit or less.
While it may take a few years to recoup the cost of installation, the typical shelf life of these solar-powered food processing machines is 25-30 years, making it not only an eco-friendly but also a more cost-effective option, they say.
