Officials discuss growing potential of solar energy

Prayagraj: A pre-event awareness programme for the UP 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), UP govt, and SEVA, with support by KEI Industries Limited.The awareness programme focussed 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 solar energy sector in the state.Chief development officer (Prayagraj) Harshika Singh said 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.Conference co-convenor, UPEX 2026, UP Tripathi, announced that the UP Energy Expo 2026 will be held from May 7 to 9 at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow. The expo will witness participation of over 150 exhibitors from India and abroad, along with more than 60 speakers across 10 thematic sessions on technology, policy, and investment opportunities, he said.President, Eastern UP Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vinay Kumar Tandon, said 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. Project officer, UPNEDA (Prayagraj), Komil Dwivedi, noted that the state has the potential to emerge as one of the leading states in solar energy adoption under these schemes. Senior manager- sales & marketing (BH), KEI Industries Limited (Varanasi), Prashant Srivastava, also shared his perspective on the expanding opportunities within the renewable energy sector.Senior officer, MSME DFO (Prayagraj), Vaibhav Khare said the expo will serve as a key platform for strengthening the solar energy ecosystem in the state. Resident officer, UP State Chapter, PHDCCI, Shailendra Srivastava, said a series of awareness events will be held in Varanasi on April 7, Gorakhpur on April 17, and Lucknow on April 24.