Lucknow, Oct. 11 -- n a major step towards expanding renewable energy capacity, the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) and Coal India Ltd (CIL) have partnered to set up a 500 MW solar power plant in Jalaun district through a joint venture.

The state government, according to additional chief secretary Narendra Bhushan, has already allotted land for the proposed plant. "We have allotted 22 acres of government land in Jalaun for the 500 MW solar plant to be established jointly by Utpadan Nigam and Coal India Ltd," he said.

The plant, expected to be commissioned in the next 18-24 months, will entail an investment of Rs.2,500 crore. UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) will buy the electricity to be produced by the plant at t...