UP targets doubling power availability by 2016-17

The state is targeting to provide 22 hours power to all district headquarters and 16 hours in the rural areas by 2016-end

Power-starved Uttar Pradesh, which is currently facing coal shortages at several of its thermal power plants, has set a target to double power availability to 21,000 megawatts (Mw) by 2016-17.

The government has estimated peak-hour power demand to rise to 23,000 Mw by 2016-17.

Currently, the total power available with Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) stands at roughly 10,500 Mw from several sources, including public and private sector thermal and hydro power generation, procuring from energy exchanges and bilateral agreements, among others.

Uttar Pradesh is expecting that new power plants which are under development, both in the public and private sectors, would be ready within the stipulated time. Besides, the state would seek additional power through first case bidding to make up for the shortfall.

The state is targeting to provide 22 hours power to all district headquarters and 16 hours in rural areas by the end of 2016 with augmented power availability. The prevailing coal shortage had resulted in the temporary shutdown of several thermal power units. The state government had accused the Centre of providing sub-optimum coal supply to its plants, deepening the crisis.

So much so that Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had written multiple letters to the Centre seeking adequate coal supply, besides a full quota of power from the central sector.

On Tuesday, Yadav convened a review meeting on the power sector with chief secretary Alok Ranjan and senior power department officials, including energy principal secretary Sanjay Aggarwal and UPPCL Managing Director A P Mishra.

Later, addressing a press conference, Ranjan said the government had accorded top priority to energy as industrial development was largely dependent on it.

The state has planned to incur Rs 22,500 crore and Rs 15,000 crore on sprucing up the transmission and distribution networks, respectively. Besides, Rs 22,000 crore would be invested on rural electrification.

“We have taken up the issue of coal shortage with the Centre and fresh supply has started from Monday. It would take another two-three days for coal supply to get normal,” he said. Ranjan said even central thermal power plants had been facing coal shortage, resulting in sub-optimum generation.