Lucknow, May 26 -- In a significant step towards promoting clean energy, Uttar Pradesh has issued letters of agreement (LoAs) to over 100 developers for establishing solar power plants with a combined capacity of more than 1,527 MW aimed at supplying solar power to agriculture feeders. These solar power plants will be set up under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) C-2 scheme. The initiative targets solarisation of approximately 5,000 agriculture feeders, ensuring eight hours of daytime power supply to tubewells/pump-sets for irrigation. "The UP government has fixed the target of generating 2,000 MW of solar power under KUSUM C-2 by 2027 and against it we have already issued LoAs for more than 1,51,527.2 MW of solar power to over 100 developers," UPNEDA secretary and chief project officer, Pankaj Singh said. The UPPCL will procure the solar power generated under the scheme for 25 years for Rs 2.99 per unit. "UPNEDA has developed a dedicated online portal where interested farmers can register their land free of cost for leasing. Solar plants can be set up within a 5-10 km radius of identified substations, requiring around four acres per megawatt of capacity," project officer Rakesh Agrawal said. Developers will receive up to Rs 1.55 crore per MW, including Rs 1.05 lakh central aid and Rs 50 lakh state grant as Viability Gap Funding. Under the scheme, farmers, groups, panchayats, cooperatives, FPOs, and project developers can join the tender. Land near selected substations will be leased to solar developers for 27 years at mutually agreed rent. "For farmers, the scheme ensures a steady income through land lease payments and reliable daytime solar power for irrigation. Developers benefit from access to land, guaranteed power purchase agreements, and government incentives. DISCOMs gain access to affordable solar power, reducing power purchase costs and AT&C losses, "Agrawal explained....