Prayagraj 20

March (HS): In a step towards positioning Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for

clean energy investment, a pre-event awareness programme for the Uttar Pradesh

Energy Expo (UPEX) 2026 was organised at Vikas Bhawan, Prayagraj, on Friday. The

initiative is being organised by the UP State Chapter, PHDCCI and First View,

in association with UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development

Agency), Government of Uttar Pradesh, and SEVA, with supported by KEI

Industries Limited.

The

awareness programme focused on the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’, bringing

together industry stakeholders and officials to deliberate on emerging

opportunities, policy frameworks, and the growing potential of the solar energy

sector in the state.

Addressing

the gathering, Harshika Singh, IAS, Chief Development Officer, Prayagraj,

emphasised that promoting renewable energy is imperative for the state’s

sustainable growth. She noted that flagship initiatives such as the PM Surya

Ghar Yojana and the PM-KUSUM Scheme are encouraging households, farmers, and

industries to adopt solar energy, thereby strengthening energy security and

advancing sustainable development.

Welcoming

the participants, U.P. Tripathi, Conference Co-convenor, UPEX 2026, announced

that the Uttar Pradesh Energy Expo 2026 will be held from May 7 to 9, 2026, at

the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow. He stated that the three-day expo will

bring together key stakeholders from across the renewable energy ecosystem,

with participation from over 150 exhibitors from India and abroad, along with

more than 60 speakers across 10 thematic sessions focusing on technology,

policy, and investment opportunities.

Gopal

Kushwaha, District Development Officer, Prayagraj, highlighted the importance

of promoting solar energy at the grassroots level. He stated that wider

adoption of renewable energy solutions, particularly under government schemes,

will play a crucial role in strengthening rural development, improving energy

accessibility, and supporting sustainable economic growth in the district.

Vinay

Kumar Tandon, President, Eastern U.P. Chamber of Commerce and Industry,

observed that solar energy holds immense potential and is emerging as a viable

alternative to conventional energy sources. He added that UPEX 2026 will

feature dedicated segments such as the UP EV Expo, UP Smart Grid Expo, and UP

Storage Expo, showcasing advancements in electric mobility, smart grid systems,

and energy storage technologies.

Providing

insights into government initiatives, Komil Dwivedi, Project Officer, UPNEDA

(Prayagraj), elaborated on the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and the

PM-KUSUM Scheme. She noted that Uttar Pradesh has the potential to emerge as

one of the leading states in solar energy adoption under these schemes.

Prashant

Srivastava, Senior Manager – Sales & Marketing (BH), KEI Industries Limited

(Varanasi), also shared his perspective on the expanding opportunities within

the renewable energy sector.

Vaibhav

Khare, Senior Officer, MSME DFO (Prayagraj), remarked that the upcoming expo

will serve as a key platform for strengthening the solar energy ecosystem in

the state. He noted that initiatives such as these are instrumental in raising

awareness and encouraging wider participation in government schemes.

Delivering

the vote of thanks Shailendra Srivastava, Resident Officer, UP State Chapter,

PHDCCI, reiterated that the primary objective of UPEX 2026 is to position Uttar

Pradesh as a premier destination for clean energy investment. He added that the

expo will showcase rooftop solar installations, large-scale solar projects, and

Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solutions, alongside innovations in EVs,

smart grids, and energy storage.

He further

informed that a series of awareness programmes are being conducted across the

state in the lead-up to the expo, with upcoming programmes scheduled in

Varanasi on April 7, Gorakhpur on April 17, and Lucknow on April 24.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi