Meja Urja bets on UP's power demand, plans 5.6 Gw thermal capacity

With the growth in renewable energy capacity falling behind the growth of electricity demand, states are going back to coal to build future power capacity

Meja Urja Nigam Ltd (MUNL), a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) between India’s largest power generator NTPC Ltd, and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL), plans to build 5.6 gigawatt (Gw) of coal-based power generating units in the coming years to meet the rising demand.

UP’s plan to set up a new thermal unit in the state comes after a hiatus of nearly 10 years. This also indicates a comeback of coal-based power units with states looking to set up mega plants in their backyard as demand crosses record highs.

Post Covid-19, the power demand of India’s largest state