Energy Resources in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a significant contributor to India’s energy production, ranking as the fifth-largest power-generating state in the country. The state relies on various energy sources, such as coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydroelectricity, and nuclear energy. However, despite its energy production capabilities, Uttar Pradesh faces a challenge where electricity production is less than the demand.

Energy resources in Uttar Pradesh are divided into two categories:

1. Conventional Energy Resources
2. Non-Conventional Energy Resources

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Conventional Energy Resources

What Are Conventional Energy Resources?

Conventional energy resources are traditional sources of energy such as coal, gas, petroleum, atomic minerals, and hydroelectric power. These resources are non-renewable and exhaustive, meaning once used, they cannot be replenished. They are crucial for generating electricity in thermal power stations and hydroelectric projects.

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Thermal Power Stations in Uttar Pradesh

Thermal power stations use coal or gas to produce electricity. Uttar Pradesh has several important thermal power stations managed by the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL).

Overview of UPRVUNL

UPRVUNL was established on 25th August 1980 to construct and manage new thermal power projects in the state. The first thermal power station constructed by UPRVUNL was the Unchahar Thermal Power Station.

Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board was formed on 14th January 2000 to oversee the management, distribution, transmission, and supply of electricity across the state.

Key Thermal Power Stations

Here are some of the important thermal power stations in Uttar Pradesh:

Harduaganj Thermal Power Station

• Location: Harduaganj, Aligarh district.
• Established: 1942 with an initial capacity of 220 MW.
• Additional Capacity: With Soviet Union assistance, a new station was established in 1963-68, adding 665 MW.
• Expansion: In 2012, the Harduaganj Expansion I project (2×250 MW) began operation.
• Fuel Source: Coal from Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Eastern Coal Fields Limited (ECL).

Anpara Thermal Power Station

• Location: Anpara, Sonbhadra district.
• Capacity: Total generating capacity of 3,830 MW.
• Technology: Managed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Toshiba Corporation (Japan), and Lanco Power from Dongfang Electric Company (China).
• Units: Anpara A (1,500 MW), Anpara C (600 MW), Anpara D (1,000 MW).

Obra Thermal Power Station

• Location: Near Chopan, Sonbhadra district.
• Capacity: 1,288 MW.
• Management: UPRVUNL; machinery by BHEL.
• Note: Thirteen units are coal-based.

Parichha Thermal Power Station

• Location: Parichha, Jhansi district.
• Capacity: 1,140 MW.
• Management: UPRVUNL.

Panki Thermal Power Station

• Location: Panki, Kanpur district.
• Capacity: 220 MW.
• Management: UPRVUNL.

Chandausi Thermal Power Station

• Location: Chandausi, Sambhal district.
• Capacity: 200 MW (2×100 MW).

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Combined Thermal Power Stations

In addition to individual stations, Uttar Pradesh also has combined thermal power projects in collaboration with other entities.

Meza Thermal Power Station

• Location: Meza Tehsil, Allahabad.
• Partners: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Uttar Pradesh Government.
• Capacity: 1,320 MW.

Ghatampur Thermal Power Station

• Location: Rambai Nagar, Kanpur district.
• Partners: Uttar Pradesh Government and Neyveli Lignite Corporation.
• Capacity: 1,980 MW.

Lalitpur Thermal Power Station

• Location: Lalitpur district.
• Partners: Uttar Pradesh Government and NTPC.
• Capacity: 4,000 MW.

Private and Public Sector Thermal Power Stations in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has both private and public sector thermal power stations contributing significantly to its electricity generation. While private companies like Reliance Group and JP Group operate some of these stations, others are managed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

Let’s explore these power stations in detail.

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Private Sector Thermal Power Stations

Rosa Thermal Power Station

• Location: Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• History: Initially started by Aditya Birla Group, but currently operated by Reliance Group.
• Capacity: 1,200 MW.

Bara Thermal Power Station

• Location: Bara, Allahabad district.
• Constructed by: JP Group.
• Capacity: 1,980 MW (3×660 MW).

Karchhana Thermal Power Station

• Location: Karchhana, Allahabad district.
• Capacity: 1,320 MW (2×660 MW).

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National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Power Stations

Generating Power Stations

Power Station	Location	Type
Rihand Thermal Power Station	Sonbhadra	Coal-based
Anwala Thermal Power Station	Bareilly	Gas-based
Firoz Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Station	Raebareli	Coal-based
Shakti Nagar Super Thermal Power Station	Sonbhadra	Coal-based
Auraiya Thermal Power Station	Auraiya	Gas-based
Dadri Thermal Power Station	Gautam Buddha Nagar	Gas-based

Under Construction Power Stations

Power Station	Location
Tanda Expand Thermal Power Station	Ambedkar Nagar
Bilhaur Thermal Power Station	Kanpur

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Hydroelectric Projects in Uttar Pradesh

Introduction to Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power in Uttar Pradesh has been developed as an alternative due to limited coal and petroleum resources. Important projects like the Ganga Electric Grid, Sharda Canal Project, and Rihand Valley Project are vital to the state’s energy infrastructure.

Major Hydroelectric Projects

Rihand Hydroelectric Project

• Location: Near Pipri, Sonbhadra district.
• Capacity: 300 MW.
• Significance: Houses Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar, India’s largest man-made lake.

Khara Hydroelectric Project

• Location: Managed by Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UPJVNL).
• Capacity: 72 MW.
• Units: Three units commissioned between 1986 and 1992.

Sharda Hydroelectric Project

• Location: On the Sharda River (Mahakali River), originally constructed in the 1920s.
• Significance: Supplies electricity to Pilibhit, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Kheri, Sitapur, and Lucknow for agriculture, industries, and other uses.

Ganga Hydroelectric Project

• Location: Multiple sites on the Ganga River, including Pathri, Muhammadpur, Nirgrajani, Chitwara, Salawa, Bhola, Palra, and Sumera.
• Capacity: 13.7 MW.

Matatila Hydroelectric Project

• Location: Lalitpur district, on the Betwa River.
• Capacity: 30.6 MW.
• Significance: Supplies electricity to both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

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Other Hydroelectric Projects

Project	Location	Significance	Capacity
Sheetla Hydroelectric Project	Jhansi	Constructed by State Hydel Power Corporation Limited	3 MW
Obra Hydroelectric Power Project	Obra (Sonbhadra)	Constructed on the Rihand River	99 MW
Parichha Hydroelectric Power Project	Jhansi	Situated on the Betwa River	20 MW
Babail and Belka Hydroelectric Projects	Saharanpur	Situated on the Yamuna River	3 MW each

READ MORE – INDUSTRIES OF UTTAR PRADESH

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Combined Hydroelectric Power Projects in Uttar Pradesh

Gandak Hydroelectric Project

• Details: A combined hydroelectric power project of the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh Governments.
• Start Year: 1961.

Tihari Hydroelectric Project

• Details: A combined project of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Central Government.

Nuclear Power Project in Uttar Pradesh

• Overview: As of 2016, India operates 22 nuclear reactors at seven sites, with an installed capacity of 6,780 MW.

Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS)

• Location: Narora, Bulandshahar district, Uttar Pradesh.
• Notable Achievements:
• First ISO-14001 certified atomic power station in Asia (2000).
• Recipient of the Golden Peacock Award from the World Environment Foundation.
• Commercial Operation:
• Unit 1: Began on January 1, 1991.
• Unit 2: Began on July 1, 1992.

Small Hydroelectric Policy, 2009

• Enactment: In 2009, the Small Hydroelectric Policy was enacted by the Uttar Pradesh State Government.
• Purpose: Expansion of small hydroelectric projects.
• Criteria: Projects with a capacity of less than 25 MW.

Important Bodies for Electricity Generation from Conventional Energy Resources

• 1959: Constitution of the Uttar Pradesh State Electric Council.
• 1998: Formation of the Uttar Pradesh Electric Regulatory Commission under the Central Government Electric Regulatory Commission Act, 1998.
• 1999: Establishment of key power corporations under the Uttar Pradesh Electric Reform Act, 1999:
• Uttar Pradesh Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited: For thermal electricity.
• Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited: For hydroelectric power.
• Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited: For supply and distribution.

Major Power Corporations in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UPJVNL)

• Established: 1985.
• Function: Hydroelectric power generation.
• Installed Capacity: 526 MW.

Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL)

• Location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• Coverage Area: 335 sq km.
• Establishment: December 1993.
• Installed Capacity: 265 MW.
• Consumer Base: Supplies power to over 71 lakh consumers.

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)

• Established: January 14, 2000.
• Function: Responsible for electricity transmission and distribution in Uttar Pradesh.
• Headquarters: Lucknow.

Kanpur Electricity Supply Company Limited (KESCO)

• Established: January 14, 2000.
• Location: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
• Function: Supplies power to the entire area of Kanpur Municipal Corporation.
• Affiliation: Part of UPPCL.

Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL)

• Established: June 2003.
• Function: Power distribution in five zones in Southern Uttar Pradesh, covering 21 districts.
• Coverage Area: 3134 sq km.

Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL)

• Established: July 2003.
• Function: Inherited responsibility for power distribution in Western Uttar Pradesh from UPPCL.
• Infrastructure: 564 sub-stations with a total installed capacity of 6569 MW.

Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL)

• Established: July 2003.
• Function: Responsible for electric power distribution in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Headquarters: Varanasi.

Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL)

• Established: July 2003.
• Function: Supplies electricity in the middle region of Uttar Pradesh.
• Consumer Base: Approximately 27 lakh consumers.

Non-Conventional Energy Resources in Uttar Pradesh

Solar Energy

• Policy Adoption: The Solar Power Policy was adopted by the Uttar Pradesh Government in 2013.
• Operation Period: Effective until March 31, 2017.
• Advantages: Solar energy does not generate any pollution.

Major Initiatives for Solar Energy Development

1. Grid Combined Photovoltaic Power Plant: Established in 1992 in Sarai Sadi village (Mau), Kalyanpur village (Aligarh), and Harraiya (Basti).
2. National Solar Mission 2010: Grid-connected projects of 100 MW established in Banda, Jhansi, and Badaun under private sector management during 2016-17.
3. Solar Photovoltaic Pump (Potable Water): Allocated in areas without proper drinking water facilities. Capacity: 1200 watts.
4. Aditya Solar Shop Project: 54 solar energy shops established across Uttar Pradesh for easier access to renewable energy systems.
5. Solar City Programme: Centrally sponsored programme supporting solar facilities in Prayagraj, Agra, and Moradabad.
6. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam City Solar Beam Yojana: Aimed at providing drinking water in backward regions.
7. Solar Street Light Project: A combined State and Central Government initiative to provide street lighting using solar devices.
8. Solar Cooker (Dish type): Used for cooking with solar energy, distributed across the state.

New Solar Energy Policy, 2017

• Launch Date: December 5, 2017.
• Target: Generating 10,700 MW of solar energy in Uttar Pradesh.

Biomass Energy

• Potential: Estimated at about 38 MW in Uttar Pradesh.
• Power Generation Capacity: 1331.4 MW achieved in private sector sugar mills, rice mills, paper mills, and other industrial units.
• Leading State: Uttar Pradesh is a leader in biomass power generation.
• Established Biomass Power Plants: Located in Ghazipur, Mathura, and Kanpur.

Biomass Energy Policy, 2015

• Objectives:
• Promote electricity generation from biomass sources.
• Identify important areas for renewable energy in the state.
• Encourage renewable energy investment in the private and public sectors.
• Meet the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) requirements.

Wind Energy

• Wind Monitoring Stations: Selected locations include Pilibhit, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur, and Lakhimpur-Kheri districts.
• Project Management: Handled by Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNREDA).
• Production Capacity: 1260 MW.

Wind Energy Policy, 2015

• Objectives:
• Promote clean and green power generation using wind energy.
• Increase environmental awareness.
• Contribute to the productive use of wastelands.
• Enhance skills and create employment opportunities.
• Promote local manufacturing facilities.

Initiatives for Development of Non-Conventional Energy

Urja Park

• Purpose: Dedicated area for clean energy development, such as solar and wind energy generation.
• Location: Urja Park established in Lucknow Zoo, Uttar Pradesh.

Border Area Development Programme (BADP)

• Initiation: Started in 1999-2000 by the Central Government.
• Coverage: Border areas of Uttar Pradesh (Bahraich, Pilibhit, Shravasti, Lakhimpur, Balrampur, and Siddharthnagar).
• Facilities Provided: Solar home light, solar pump, solar water heater, solar lantern, etc.

Remote Village Electrification Programme

• Purpose: Financial support for electrification in villages and hamlets where UPPCL power supply is unavailable.
• Approval Date: March 31, 2012.
• Energy Sources: Based on renewable energy.

Social Area Demonstration Scheme (SADC)

Projects: Conducting 22 projects in the state under Akshay Urja Equipments.

Function: Operates energy parks in Uttar Pradesh.

Example: An energy park established in Lucknow Zoo under this scheme.

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FAQs

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Question 1: When was Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) constituted?
ANSWER: 25th August, 1980

Question 2: Where did Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) start a thermal power station on 8th August, 2015?
ANSWER: Vindhyachal, Uttar Pradesh

Question 3: Which are the Thermal Power Stations of Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Anpara Thermal Power Station, Obra Thermal Power Station, Harduaganj Thermal Power Station

Question 4: Where is Harduaganj Thermal Power Station located?
ANSWER: Aligarh

Question 5: In which district of Uttar Pradesh is Anpara Thermal Power Station located?
ANSWER: Sonbhadra

Question 6: Which organizations control the machinery for the units of Anpara Thermal Power Station?
ANSWER: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Toshiba Corporation, Lanco Power from Dongfang Electric Company

Question 7: With the help of which country was Obra Thermal Power Station established?
ANSWER: Soviet Union

Question 8: Which of the following is not a thermal power station: Rihand, Harduaganj, Parichha?
ANSWER: None of these

Question 9: Where is the Reliance Group (1200MW) Thermal Power Station established?
ANSWER: Rosa

Question 10: Where is Firoz Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Station situated?
ANSWER: Raebareli

Question 11: Which of the following NTPC plants is not based on gas?
ANSWER: Tanda

Question 12: Around which year was the Rihand Project completed?
ANSWER: 1962

Question 13: Which is the most important multipurpose project in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Rihand Project

Question 14: Where is the Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar Project situated?
ANSWER: Sonbhadra-Pipari

Question 15: Which organization operates the Khara Hydroelectric Power Plant?
ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited

Question 16: On which river was the Matatila Multi-purpose Project built?
ANSWER: Betwa

Question 17: In which state is Matatila Dam located?
ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh

Question 18: With which state did Uttar Pradesh collaborate to construct the Matatila Hydro Project?
ANSWER: Madhya Pradesh

Question 19: Which Hydel Power Project is located in Jhansi?
ANSWER: Sheetla

Question 20: On which river was the Obra Hydel Power Station built?
ANSWER: Rihand river

Question 21: In which district is Parichha Hydel Power Centre located?
ANSWER: Jhansi

Question 22: Which project is a combined project of the Governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER: Gandak Pariyojana

Question 23: Which Pariyojana is common to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal?
ANSWER: Gandak Pariyojana

Question 24: Which Hydroelectric Project is a combined project in which the Central Government is also a partner?
ANSWER: Tihari hydroelectrical project

Question 25: Where is Narora Nuclear Power Plant located?
ANSWER: Bulandshahr

Question 26: When did Narora Atomic Power Station start its commercial operation?
ANSWER: 1991

Question 27: Where is the Nuclear Power Project in Uttar Pradesh situated?
ANSWER: Narora

Question 28: When did the second unit of Narora Power Station start its commercial operation?
ANSWER: 1992

Question 29: When was the Uttar Pradesh State Electric Council constituted?
ANSWER: 1959

Question 30: Into which organizations has the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board been divided?
ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited

Question 31: When was Noida Power Company Limited formed?
ANSWER: 1993

Question 32: In which year was the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited created?
ANSWER: January, 2000

Question 33: Which form of energy generates no pollution?
ANSWER: Solar

Question 34: Which state is the leading state in biomass power generation?
ANSWER: Uttar Pradesh

Question 35: Match the Thermal Power Station with its location: Anpara, Parichha, Harduaganj, Panki.
ANSWER: Anpara – Sonbhadra district, Parichha – Jhansi district, Harduaganj – Aligarh district, Panki – Kanpur district