Over 9,500 Homes in Gorakhpur Now Lit by Solar Energy
UPEX 2026 to be Held in Lucknow from May 7–9
Gorakhpur, April 17 (Friday): Taking a significant step toward establishing Uttar Pradesh as a major hub for clean energy investment, a pre-event awareness program for the ‘Uttar Pradesh Energy Expo (UPEX) 2026’ was organized today, Friday, at the Vikas Bhawan in Gorakhpur.
This initiative is being organized by the UP State Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and ‘First View,’ in collaboration with UPNEDA (Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency), Invest UP—an agency of the Government of Uttar Pradesh—and ‘SEWA.’ It also enjoys the support of SIG Energy India, KEI Industries Ltd., Eram, Salasar Techno Engineering Ltd., and Fintex India.
The primary focus of the program was the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ (PM Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme). Industry representatives and government officials participated in the event, engaging in deliberations regarding emerging opportunities in the solar energy sector, the existing policy framework, and the growing potential for solar energy development within the state.
Addressing the gathering, Satish Kumar Singh—District Development Officer (DDO), Gorakhpur, and Project Officer (UPNEDA), Gorakhpur—stated that promoting renewable energy is absolutely essential for the sustainable development of the state. He highlighted that key initiatives such as the ‘PM Surya Ghar Yojana’ and the ‘PM-KUSUM Yojana’ are actively encouraging households, farmers, and industries to adopt solar energy, thereby bolstering energy security. He further stated that, under the ‘PM Surya Yojana,’ the total number of solar panels installed in Gorakhpur had exceeded 9,500 by March 31. He emphasized the need for such solar energy-based awareness programs to be conducted at regular intervals in Gorakhpur to ensure a continuous increase in the installation of solar panels. He identified end-users, vendors, banks, and the electricity department as the four pillars of green energy.
Solar energy is emerging as an effective alternative to traditional energy sources. He further added that ‘UP Ex 2026’ would feature specific segments, such as the UP EV Expo, UP Smart Grid Expo, and UP Storage Expo.
Highlighting various government schemes, he provided detailed information regarding the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ (Free Electricity Scheme) and the ‘PM-KUSUM’ scheme. He emphasized that, with the aid of these initiatives, Uttar Pradesh possesses the full potential to become a leading state in the adoption of solar energy.
He underscored the critical need to promote solar energy at the grassroots level. He further noted that the large-scale utilization of renewable energy—facilitated through government schemes—would play a pivotal role in fostering rural development, enhancing energy access, and strengthening economic stability.
Welcoming the participants to the awareness program, Pankaj Srivastava—Conference Co-convener of ‘UP Ex 2026’—announced that the Uttar Pradesh Energy Expo 2026 would be held from May 7 to May 9, 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow. He stated that this three-day expo would feature over 150 exhibitors and more than 60 speakers from both India and abroad, who would engage in discussions on technology, policy, and investment opportunities across 10 distinct sessions.
Speaking on the occasion, Neeraj Srivastava, Assistant General Manager at KEI Industries Ltd., also shared his insights regarding the rapidly growing opportunities within the renewable energy sector. He stated that this expo would prove to be a pivotal platform for strengthening the entire solar energy ecosystem within the state, while also serving to raise awareness regarding various government schemes.
Manoj Srivastava, General Manager (LDM) at the State Bank of India, emphasized the unwavering commitment of both the Central and State governments toward promoting solar energy. He noted that all nationalized banks offer easily accessible credit facilities for the implementation of the ‘PM Surya Ghar’ scheme and for setting up other solar power plants—facilities that are further bolstered by government subsidies.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks at the conclusion of the program, Kaushik Phuloria, Deputy Resident Director (UP State Chapter) of the PHD Chamber of Commerce, stated that the primary objective of ‘UP Ex 2026’ is to establish Uttar Pradesh as a leading hub for clean energy investment. He highlighted that the expo would showcase the latest technologies related to rooftop solar systems, large-scale solar projects, Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solutions, electric vehicles, smart grids, and energy storage.
He further added that, alongside this expo, awareness programs are also being organized across the state, with the next such event scheduled to take place in Lucknow on April 24.
About The Author
