Solar plants in 6 STPs to cut carbon emission in Noida by 3.5L tonnes in 5 years

Noida: Six sewage treatment facilities in the city are set to get solar power plants. The 6 megawatt project, possibly the first in UP, is to reduce electricity consumption by 50 per cent and cut carbon emissions by 3.5 lakh tonne over five years.Currently, each STP consumes about 2,000 units of electricity per day. Once the solar panels are installed, this consumption is expected to reduce by 50 per cent , saving nearly 1,000 units daily per STP.Not just the STPs, Noida Authority also plans to run streetlights on solar energy.General manager RP Singh said reducing one unit of electricity translates to a saving of 30 grams of carbon emissions, thus significantly contributing to environmental conservation and helping curb pollution levels in Noida.The Authority has given in-principle approval for the project and commissioned a detailed project report (DPR) to determine the cost of installing the solar plants. The initiative is a part of a larger vision to develop Noida as a ‘Solar City' under the 2024–25 budget, he said.

The Authority has also sought Rs 200-300 crore from the central govt under National Clean Air Programme , which it plans to use to enhance traffic infrastructure, reduce congestion, and lower vehicular pollution in the city.

A part of the traffic decongestion plan includes making all city signals "left-turn free" by clearing obstructions, such as footpaths and encroachments. A survey to identify traffic hotspots and areas riddled with encroachment to decongest stretches cut carbon emissions is likely.A skywalk from NH-9 to Ghaziabad near Sector 62 is also in the offing. Earlier, the Authority availed Rs 30 crore under NCAP, but utilised merely 11 per cent of the funds allotted over 3 years to fight pollution.

• Published On Apr 19, 2025 at 08:55 AM IST