#ElectrifyingUP - A Truth or a Myth? Read the full story to know

In the recent years, the demand for electricity has been increasing due to the rise in Indian population. As we know that India is the world’s fifth largest producer of electricity having an installed capacity of 2,28,722 MW. This entire capacity is from the state, private and central owned utilities. Electricity plays a very important role in today’s lives. This can be clearly understood from the efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh government. Uttar Pradesh is the first state to come up with a Mini-Grid policy. Under the efforts of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, the government has achieved the target in generating rural electricity supply for the revenue villages in Uttar Pradesh.

The current power generation in Uttar Pradesh is 13,500 MW, it is estimated that extra 6,000 MW of electricity would be generated by early 2017 in Uttar Pradesh. Currently, 5 thermal power stations are being operated within the state. The first of the three units of 1980 MW (3 x 660 MW) critical thermal plant has already been commissioned at Lalitpur in the Bundelkhand district. Similarly, the first of the two units of the 1000 MW (2 x 500 MW) at the Annapara D project and 1980 MW (3 x 660 MW) at Bara are expected to be commissioned soon and operational by April 2017.

Due to the increasing demand for electricity, the efforts of UP government has brought light into the lives of the villagers. To satisfy this increasing demand, many power grids and thermal stations are to be established. Also, the demand for electricity is on the rise due to increase in industrialization.

The state wants to be self-dependent in terms of generating electricity and power generation. The amount of electricity consumed from hydropower is about 700 MW and that by sugar mills is 450 MW. Both the state as well as the private sectors contribute in the power generation facilities. Around 1,200 MW electricity production has been added since the last four years from the private sector. In the next 6-7 years, the Uttar Pradesh government targets to generate 35,000 MW of electricity. An amount of Rs.52,000 crore would be invested for the purpose of electricity transmission. Out of this amount, Rs.10,000 crore would be the share of the private sector.

The electrification scheme that has been undertaken by the UP government involves the following:

• If the electrified households hold a minimum of 10% then the village is said to be electrified.
• The power transmission and distribution facilities must be proper. Transformers need to be made available within the localities.
• Any kind of public places like schools, colleges, offices, panchayats, hospitals, community centers must have the power facilities. However if it is not available then it must be made available to them immediately on demand.
• It must be the role of Panchayat or Zila Parishad to rate the transformers that have been set up in the villages. 
• Since April 2016, the dual regulatory surcharges have been vanished reducing the  electricity bills for the  people.

Some of the key statistics regarding electricity production are mentioned below:

1. The Budget for the Department of Energy, Uttar Pradesh has been increased from Rs 9000 crore to Rs. 66,000 crore.
2. From 2013 to 2015, the capacity to import Electricity has increased up to 9300 MW.
3. The capacity to manage and direct electricity has increased by 40%.
4. The gradual increase in the Electricity Availability: In the year 2007 (5700 MW), 2012 (8400 MW), 2016 (13,500 MW).
5. During the year 2014-2015, 38 energy substations have been established while during 2015-2016, 30 more centres have been added.

About 97,000 revenue villages are there in Uttar Pradesh. It has been targeted by the NDA government that complete electrification of all these revenue villages will be achieved by 2018. However due to the strenuous efforts of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav it has been possible to electrify all the revenue villages, thus completing the state’s target before the deadline. By providing electricity to all the villages as well as the remote areas, the economy will be uplifted and the quality of lives will improve. The economic growth and development will be on the rise. Since electricity has now become a necessity, it is the role of the government to provide such power facilities to all the parts of the country.

Recently Akhilesh Yadav on social media platforms has announced the launch of Energy Department’s Debut, apart from providing electrification facilities. In various parts of Uttar Pradesh, the CM has also inaugurated many substations that will help in distributing the electricity. Also by encouraging the use of LED bulbs, the power consumption has fallen to a great extent. All these alternatives will lead to a better life in the future. Thus we conclude that not only the government should provide power facilities to all parts of the state but also should take measures so that the power consumption is reduced so as to increase the efficiency. On witnessing the efforts of the current UP government, the day is not far when every corner of Uttar Pradesh will be lit up.

Written by Anisha Dutta

She is a content evangelist who believes that the Science of today is the Technology of tomorrow.