Uttar Pradesh: Power Resources - 2 | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Development of non-conventional energy sources

To foster the growth of unconventional or renewable energy sources in the nation, the Central government established several institutions:

• The Commission on Additional Sources of Energy in 1981.
• The Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in 1982.
• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency in 1987.

Additionally, the Alternative Energy Development Institute was formed in 1983 as an autonomous organization under the Energy Sources Department of Uttar Pradesh. It has set up NEDA* offices in 55 districts at the district level to implement projects. This institute is actively involved in executing various programs and schemes aimed at developing and disseminating appropriate techniques for harnessing non-conventional energy sources, including solar cookers, solar water heaters, solar lighting plants, solar power plants, solar photovoltaic pumps, wind monitoring, and hydropower. These initiatives are designed to meet energy needs in both urban and rural areas.
UPNEDA – Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency.

• Research, Development and Training Centre – The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) plays a crucial role in establishing Research, Development, and Training Centers in collaboration with the Central government. These centers, located in Ghosi (Mau), Chinhat (Lucknow), and Kannauj, focus on the research, development, and training of new and renewable energy sources.
• Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant – In 1992, as a research project, grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plants with a capacity of 100-100 kW were established in Saraysadi village (Mau), Kalyanpur village (Aligarh), and Harraiya (Basti) in the state. Furthermore, solar parks are under development in Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Mirzapur, and Prayagraj districts, as part of the Solar Park Scheme initiated by the Central government.
  Large solar parks for grid-connected projects are being established in Jalaun, Kanpur Dehat, Mirzapur, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Hamirpur by private developers to meet the energy demands of the state.
• New Solar Energy Policy; 2022 – The New Solar Energy Policy of 2022 emphasizes increasing power generation from non-conventional energy sources, setting a goal of achieving a production capacity of 22 thousand MW in the next five years. The state government plans to invest 7,698 crores over the next five years to achieve this target. The policy aims to develop 16 municipal corporations and Noida as Solar Cities, with Ayodhya designated as a Model Solar City, excluding it from the Solar City program.
• Solar Cooker – This is a system in which solar energy is converted into thermal energy to cook food. There are two types of cookers (box type and dish type) in this, on the purchase of these cookers, the central and state governments give grants.
• Solar Water Heater – In this device also solar energy is converted into thermal energy and the water gets heated.
• Solar Home Light – This plant provides light for 5 to 16 hours at night. The plants are being distributed from the NEDA offices located in the districts on the grant of the Central and State Government. The offered plant consists of a 37W solar panel, 2 CFLs of 9W and a 12V battery.
• Solar Lantern – In this system a 10 watt solar panel, 5 or 7 watt CFL, a 12 volt x 7 amp battery is given on some government subsidy.
• Solar street lights – In those villages where electricity has not yet reached, a maximum of 10 solar street lights are given for villages of 200 families. For a street light, 1 solar panel of 74 watt, a battery of 12 x 17, CFL tube of 11 watt and a pole is given which gives light for 5-6 hours in the night.
• Solar Photovoltaic Pump (Drinking Water) – In villages where there is lack of clean drinking water supply, solar pumps are being installed at the sites approved or allotted by the Gram Panchayats keeping in mind the ST, SC and BC beneficiaries. The expenditure on this is borne by the Gram Panchayat. In this scheme, a 1200 watt solar panel and a submersible pump are installed at a depth of 100 feet.
• Solar photovoltaic pump (for irrigation) – 1.20 lakh to 1.40 lakh liters of water per day can be obtained for irrigation from solar photovoltaic pump for irrigation in rural areas. The solar pump can be easily used in an area where the water level is 6-7 meters.
• Aditya Solar Shop Yojana – Aditya Solar Shops are being established in different cities of the state with the objective of ensuring easy availability of solar and other plants to the buyers of energy plants. Funded by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Government of India, necessary facilities for servicing and repair of plants are also provided under this scheme. With the help of the Government of India, 54 renewable energy shops have been established in the state.
• Solar City Program – Central Government is giving assistance to develop Agra, Prayagraj and Moradabad as Solar Cities.
• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Nagariya Saur Punj Yojana – Under the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Nagariya Saur Punj Yojana, initiated in 2016-17, solar energy is utilized to provide light and drinking water in municipal bodies in Bundelkhand and Naxal-affected areas.

Biogas and biomass power and related plants

• Institutional Biogas Plant – These are established in government, semi-government, charitable, and private dairy farms. The plants, utilizing cow dung and organic residues, provide gas for cooking, lighting, and engine operation. Various forms of support are extended to organizations to set up these plants.
• Combustion Based Biomass Power Project – Private sector initiatives in Ghazipur, Mathura, and Kanpur involve three grid-connected power plants generating electricity through combustion technology, using biomass other than Bagaj. With a total capacity of 38 MW, these plants sell surplus power to the state government.
• Biomass Gasifier Plant – These facilities convert biomass, such as paddy husk and wood, into producer gas, an inflammable gas used for power generation. Over 171 industrial units in the state contribute to a total power capacity of 41.65 MW through gasifier plants of varying capacities.
• Industrial waste based plant – Waste from industrial units, distilleries, food processing, dairies, pulp and paper mills, etc., can potentially generate 150 MW of power in the state. By 2019-20, a plant with a capacity of 104 MW had been established based on distillery waste.
• Garbage based power generation project – A national program, in collaboration with the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, encourages power generation from scientifically disposed-of garbage in cities. Private projects, following government guidelines, are being set up in various cities with provisions for land lease, waste supply by Municipal Corporations, and state government purchase of electricity.
• Bagasse Based Power Projects – Uttar Pradesh's sugar mills contribute to additional power generation through bagasse. Government policies support the purchase, wheeling, and banking of electricity generated by private sector sugar mills, leading to the establishment of 1900 MW projects by 65 mills till 2017-18.
• Energy Parks – These parks in different districts showcase alternative energy programs and plants through live demonstrations. A state-level energy park has been established at the Lucknow zoo.
• Border Area Development Program – Since 1999-2000, this program focuses on installing solar home lights, lanterns, pumps, and water heaters in border development blocks of select districts, funded by the State Rural Development Department.
• Wind Energy – AUttar Pradesh has a potential of 1260 MW electricity generation from wind energy at an 80-meter height, as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Wind monitoring masts have been installed in various districts for study.
  • MNRE = Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• National Biogas Program – Initiated in 1981-82 and funded entirely by the Government of India, this program, under the State Rural Development Department, has been ongoing since 1982-83.

Point To Remember

In the current era, energy has become an essential requirement for humanity. As population activities increase, so does the demand for energy. The state government is actively working on strategic initiatives to enhance electricity generation in response to the growing need.
General Information

• Background Information:

  The Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board, formed in 1959, underwent division in 2000, resulting in the creation of Jal Vidyut Utpadan Nigam and Power Corporation. The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission was established in 1998. The introduction of electricity distribution and franchise systems in rural areas commenced in 2000 in Agra district. A toll-free number, 1912, is available for the convenience of electricity consumers in the state.

• Additional Details:
  Narora in Bulandshahr hosts the state's sole nuclear power station, established in 1991-92, with a power generation capacity of 2×220 MW. The 'Saubhagya Yojana' for electricity connections has been operational since December 17, 2017. The machinery for the first three units of the Anpara Thermal Power Plant was supplied by BHEL, while Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan) provided machinery for the remaining two units. Rihand Thermal Power Plant supplies electricity to Hindalco Aluminium Plant in Renukoot.

• Solar Initiatives:
  Two projects utilizing solar photovoltaic technology, each with a capacity of 100 kW, have been established at Kalyanpur (Aligarh) and Ghosi (Mau).

Power Resources (Current Situation)

As of March 31, 2023, the cumulative electricity installed capacity in Uttar Pradesh stands at 31,510.79 MW, comprising the following:

• Thermal energy accounts for 25,788.14 MW (81.84%),
• Nuclear energy contributes 440 MW (1.39%),
• Hydropower provides 501.60 MW (1.62%), and
• Renewable energy sources contribute 4,781.05 MW (15.17%).

Within the thermal power category, coal-based plants hold an installed capacity of 24,295.00 MW, while gas-based plants contribute 1,493.14 MW. The overall installed capacity is distributed across different sectors: 6,585.70 MW in the state sector, 11,511.95 MW in the private sector, and 13,413.14 MW in the central sector.

The total electricity generation in Uttar Pradesh for the fiscal year 2022-23 (April – March) reached 136,830.3 GWH, showing an increase from 156,223.8 GWH in the previous year. The annual per capita power generation in the state is 112 KWH for the year 2021–22. In the same period, the annual per capita electricity consumption in the state was 402 KWH.
As of the year 2019-20, the state boasts 97,814 fully electrified villages. The combined total generation capacity, encompassing state, central, joint, private, solar, nuclear, etc., was 24,899 million units (24,899 MW) for 2021-22. This capacity has experienced growth, reaching 31,510.79 MW by March 31, 2023.

Comparison of Power Consumption & Installed Capacity : India & UP

1. Power Consumption comparison Table –
   
2. Installed Capacity comparison Table –
   

Thermal Power (State Government, Central Government and Centre-State Joint)

Thermal Power Generation (Governance by State, Central, and Center-State Collaboration)
The names of the thermal power projects being produced by the State Power Generation Corporation are as follows:

• Harduaganj (Aligarh)
• Pareechha (Jhansi)
• Anpara (Sonbhadra)
• Obra (Sonbhadra)

The predominant source of power generation in the state is thermal power. The State Power Generation Corporation oversees the production of thermal power projects, including Harduaganj (Aligarh), Pareechha (Jhansi), Anpara (Sonbhadra), and Obra (Sonbhadra). These four projects, managed by Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam, comprise a total of 24 units with an aggregate installed capacity of 6,134 MW.
In an effort to enhance power generation, a new unit with a capacity of 660 MW is currently under construction at the Panki plant (Kanpur), involving the decommissioning of an old unit. The oldest thermal project in the state, the 'Harduaganj Thermal Project' established in 1942, underwent revival in 1967 with support from the Soviet Union.
Additionally, a joint thermal project of 1980 MW, a collaboration between Central Company Neyveli Lignite and the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is in progress in Ghatampur (Kanpur city). The 1240 MW joint thermal project by the Central Company NTPC and the Uttar Pradesh Government in Meja (Prayagraj) has seen the commissioning of its first unit, with the second unit currently under construction.
NTPC, with a total of nine projects in production in the state, manages five thermal projects, two gas projects, and two solar power projects in Uttar Pradesh.

Thermal Power (Private Sector) 

The Rosa Thermal Power Project, located in Shahjahanpur and operated by the Reliance Group, possesses an installed generation capacity of 1,200 MW. In Prayagraj, the Bara (Sangam) thermal power project, with a capacity of 1,980 MW, is operated by the Tata Group. Additionally, the Lalitpur Thermal Power Project, with a generation capacity of 1980 MW, is managed by the Bajaj Group.

Hydropower 

• Various hydropower projects in Uttar Pradesh, such as Rihand, Obra, Matatila, Sheetla, Upper Ganga Canal, Eastern Yamuna Canal, and Khara, are under the jurisdiction of the state government. The combined installed capacity of these seven hydroelectric projects is 501.60 MW. The largest among them is the Rihand Hydroelectric Project on the Rihand River, boasting a capacity of 300 MW. The second-largest is the Obra Hydroelectric Project with a capacity of 99 MW. Both Rihand and Obra hydroelectric projects are situated in Sonbhadra district. Other projects, like Matatila, Khara, and Sheetla, are spread across different districts in the state.
• The Tehri hydroelectric project, a collaborative effort involving Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Centre, is situated at the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilangana in Uttarakhand.

Non-Conventional Energy

• Established in 1983 and later renamed UPNEDA, the Alternative Energy Development Institute in Uttar Pradesh has set up research, development, and training centers in Chinhat (Lucknow), Ghosi (Mau), and Kannauj, in collaboration with the Centre. Under the Solar Energy Policy – 2017, the state aimed to achieve a solar power generation target of 10,700 MW by 2022. In the Solar Energy Policy-2022, the target for the next 5 years has been raised to 22 thousand MW.
• Solar parks are being developed under the Solar Park Scheme in Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Jalaun, and Kanpur Dehat districts. The state's largest floating solar power plant is under construction in the Rihand reservoir of Sonbhadra district. NTPC is establishing solar power parks in Singrauli, Unchahar, and Dadri. The Lucknow Collectorate and Kaiserbagh bus stand are notable as the first collectorate and bus station in the state, respectively, to be powered by solar energy.
• With assistance from the Centre, Agra, Moradabad, and Prayagraj are being developed as solar cities. Waste-based bio-pulp plants using straw, cow dung, sugarcane bagasse, and organic waste are being set up in almost all districts of the state.