With mercury soaring to record levels and incremental energy consumption adding up, the electricity demand is expected to rise significantly in Uttar Pradesh in the years to come.
Under the directives of UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the government plans to increase power generation by nearly 5,255 megawatt (mw) through 10 new thermal power plants over the next three years.
The 10 new thermal power stations include 660 MW Obra C Unit-2 by September 2024; 660 MW Jawaharpur Unit-2 by July 2024; 561 MW Ghatampur Unit-1 by July 2024; 660 MW Panki Unit by July 2024; 561 MW Ghatampur Unit-2 by December 2024; 561 MW Ghatampur Unit-3 by March 2025; 396 MW Khurja STPP Unit-1 and 396 MW Unit-2 by May 2025; 400 MW Singrauli Stage Three Unit-1 by August 2027; and 400 MW Singrauli Stage Three Unit-2 by August 2027.
Moreover, the UP government aims to boost power generation by an additional 5,120 MW by 2030 with the expansion of three existing units.
In this regard, Obra D-2 will be increased to 1,600 MW; Anpara E-2 to 1600 MW; and Meja 2 to 1920 MW.
Currently, all the thermal power plants in UP generate approximately 6,500 MW of electricity.
Desite the energy generation from various sources of hydro, wind, and solar, there is a significant gap between power consumption and production due to the neglect of power generation in past decades.
This summer, the state’s electricity demand exceeded 30,000 MW. Power was purchased from other states and the private sector to meet such high demand and fulfil the commitment to providing 24-hour electricity.