Energy resources in Uttar Pradesh

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the division and importance of energy resources in Uttar Pradesh.
2. Gain insights into the conventional and non-conventional energy sources.
3. Recognize key power projects and their capacities.

Conventional Energy Resources

These resources include coal, gas, petroleum, atomic minerals, and hydropower. They are non-renewable and exhaustive in nature, providing the primary source of electricity used in thermal power stations and hydroelectric projects.

Thermal Power Stations in Uttar Pradesh

UPRVUNL (Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited) manages the thermal power generation. It was formed on 25th August 1980 and oversees power generation at five thermal power plants in Uttar Pradesh. There are about 28 thermal power stations in the state with a total installed capacity of 5933 MW. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) launched a new thermal power plant on 8th August 2015.

1. Harduaganj Thermal Power Station: Established in 1942 in Aligarh district with an initial capacity of 220 MW, expanded to 665 MW with the help of the Soviet Union.
2. Anpara Thermal Power Station: Located in Sonbhadra, this plant operates nine coal-fired units with a total power generation capacity of 3830 MW.
3. Obra Thermal Power Station: Also located in Sonbhadra, it has 1288 MW installed capacity and operates 13 coal-based units.
4. Parichha Thermal Power Station: Situated in Jhansi with a total installed capacity of 1140 MW.
5. Panki Thermal Power Station: Located in Kanpur, this plant operates with 220 MW capacity.
6. Chandausi Thermal Power Station: Situated in Sambhal district with an installed capacity of 2×100 MW.

Combined Thermal Power Stations

1. Meza Thermal Power Station: Located in Allahabad with 1320 MW capacity, it is a joint venture of NTPC and the state government.
2. Ghatampur Thermal Power Station: Situated in Kanpur, a combined project with 1980 MW capacity.
3. Lalitpur Thermal Power Station: Located in Lalitpur, having a capacity of 4000 MW, in partnership with NTPC.

Private Sector Thermal Power Stations

1. Rosa Thermal Power Station: Located in Shahjahanpur, it is currently operated by Reliance Group with an installed capacity of 1200 MW.
2. Bara Thermal Power Station: Constructed by JP Group in Allahabad with a capacity of 3×660 MW.
3. Karchhana Thermal Power Station: Also in Allahabad, with a capacity of 2×660 MW.

Power Stations Under National Thermal Power Corporation

1. Rihand Thermal Power Station: Sonbhadra
2. Anwala Thermal Power Station: Bareilly
3. Firoz Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Station: Raebareli
4. Shakti Nagar Super Thermal Power Station: Sonbhadra
5. Auraiya Thermal Power Station: Auraiya
6. Dadri Thermal Power Station: Gautam Buddha Nagar
7. Tanda Expand Thermal Power Station: Ambedkar Nagar
8. Bilhaur Thermal Power Station: Kanpur

Hydroelectric Projects in Uttar Pradesh

Hydropower is essential in Uttar Pradesh due to the lack of petroleum and coal resources. Several projects have been developed since 1947, including the Ganga Electric Grid, Sharda Canal Project, and the Rihand Valley Project.

1. Rihand Hydroelectric Project: Located in Sonbhadra, the dam was built in 1962 with an installed capacity of 300 MW.
2. Khara Hydroelectric Project: Has a capacity of 72 MW and has been operational since 1986.
3. Sharda Hydroelectric Project: Built in the 1920s, this project supports Pilbhit, Bareilly, and several other districts for irrigation and electricity.
4. Ganga Hydroelectric Project: Major sites along the Ganga River provide 13.7 MW of power.
5. Matatila Hydroelectric Project: Located in Lalitpur, it has an installed capacity of 30.6 MW and provides electricity to Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Nuclear Power Project

The Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), located in Bulandshahar, is the state’s primary nuclear power source. It began operations in 1991 and became Asia’s first ISO-14001 certified atomic power station.

Important Notes:

Nuclear energy is crucial for maintaining energy balance due to its ability to generate substantial power without emitting carbon dioxide.

Non-Conventional Energy Resources

Uttar Pradesh has embraced non-conventional energy resources such as solar energy, biomass energy, and wind energy, which are renewable and more environmentally friendly.

Solar Energy

The Solar Power Policy was introduced in 2013 to encourage the development of solar energy in the state. Uttar Pradesh set a goal to generate 10,700 MW of solar power under the New Solar Energy Policy 2017.

1. Grid Combined Photovoltaic Power Plant: Established in 1992 across various villages.
2. National Solar Mission 2010: Private sector projects established 100 MW solar power units in Banda, Jhansi, and Badaun.
3. Solar Photovoltaic Pump: Provides potable water in regions lacking proper drinking water infrastructure.
4. Aditya Solar Shop Project: Established 54 solar shops across the state to facilitate renewable energy systems.
5. Solar Street Light: A collaboration between the State and Central Government, aimed at illuminating streets using solar devices.

Biomass Energy

Uttar Pradesh leads in biomass energy production, with an estimated potential of 38 MW. The Biomass Energy Policy, 2015 was enacted to promote electricity generation from biomass sources.

1. Three biomass power plants have been established in Ghazipur, Mathura, and Kanpur.
2. 1331.4 MW of power generation has been achieved in the private sector through sugar mills and industrial units.

Wind Energy

The Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET) selected several districts for wind energy development, and the Wind Energy Policy 2015 was implemented with the following objectives:

1. Promotion of clean and green power.
2. Utilization of wastelands for wind farms.
3. Establishment of local manufacturing facilities.

Key Initiatives

Several initiatives have been launched to promote non-conventional energy:

1. Urja Park: Established in Lucknow Zoo to promote clean energy.
2. Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Solar-powered devices have been installed in border districts like Bahraich and Pilibhit.
3. Remote Village Electrification Programme: Aims to electrify remote villages using renewable energy.

Important Notes:

Solar energy is a significant focus for Uttar Pradesh as it offers a clean, abundant, and sustainable source of energy with minimal environmental impact.

Major Power Corporations in Uttar Pradesh

Several corporations manage the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in the state. These bodies play a crucial role in the state’s energy infrastructure.

1. Uttar Pradesh Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UPJVNL): Manages hydroelectric power stations with a total capacity of 526 MW.
2. Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL): Supplies electricity to Greater Noida with a capacity of 265 MW.
3. Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL): Responsible for electricity transmission and distribution across the state.
4. Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL): Distributes power in Southern Uttar Pradesh across 21 districts.
5. Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL): Distributes electricity in Western Uttar Pradesh.
6. Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL): Manages power distribution in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Comparison of Key Energy Resources

, Sharda, Matatila | 526 | Water-Electricity Integration|
| Nuclear Power | Narora Atomic Power Station | 6,780 | Clean Energy |
| Solar Power | National Solar Mission, Solar City Program | 10,700 (targeted) | Renewable Energy |
| Biomass Energy | Ghazipur, Mathura, Kanpur | 38 | Industrial Energy Production |
| Wind Energy | Pilibhit, Sitapur, Shahjahanpur | 1260 | Clean and Green Energy |

MCQ:
What is the capacity of the Narora Atomic Power Station?
a) 1288 MW
b) 6,780 MW
c) 526 MW
d) 1331.4 MW
Answer: b