The first unit of Obra-C 2×660 megawatt thermal power plant has commenced power generation at full capacity. With the full commissioning of this plant, the total power generation capacity of Uttar Pradesh will increase by 10 per cent.

UP Energy Minister AK Sharma said here on Wednesday that the state had achieved another historic achievement in the field of power generation and soon the state would achieve its target of doubling electricity generation and the consumers would get uninterrupted electricity.

He said that the Obra-C 2×660 MW capacity power plant was a supercritical technology-based project and this plant had been built at a cost of Rs 13,005 crore.

This power plant will be in accordance with environmental standards and will have zero liquid discharge. The UP Power Corporation Limited has signed a contract to purchase 100 per cent of the electricity generated by this plant.

The minister said that commercial generation of 660 MW electricity had started in the first unit of Jawaharpur Power Plant of Etah and electricity generation in the second 660 MW unit of Jawaharpur would also start by February, 2024.

With this, fresh power generation capacity of 1,920 MW by the state-owned public sector undertakings will be added. Obra-C’s second unit, Panki and Obra-D are in the pipeline and likely to be commissioned by the end of 2024.

The energy minister said that along with this, the contract for setting up two 2×800 MW power plants of Obra-D had been signed with NTPC. Similarly, there is a contract with NTPC to set up two units of 2×800 MW each in Anpara, he added.

The NTPC is collaborating to expand Meja’s 660 MW plant. After expansion, a 660 MW unit in Panki will also become fully functional from next year. Three units of 3×660 MW are also being installed in Ghatampur.

Sharma said that at present, the total capacity of power generation from the state’s thermal power plant was 6,100 MW and with the functioning of all these units, more electricity of similar capacity would be produced in UP.

Similarly, work is also going on for generation of 7,000 MW electricity from solar energy. The government is also promoting rooftop solar energy. Pumped storage projects have been signed to store solar energy during the day.