Lucknow, May 24: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh has issued directives to ensure a continuous and quality power supply in the state amidst the sweltering heat and increasing electricity demand. He emphasized the need for constant monitoring at all levels to prevent the general public, farmers, traders, and industries from facing a power crisis. The Chief Minister urged the energy department to operate with sensitivity and promptness during this challenging season.
During a review meeting with Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and State Minister Kailash Singh Rajput, along with officials from the energy department, power corporation, and all DISCOMs, the Chief Minister discussed the electricity supply system. He instructed to strengthen the state’s electricity production capacity and ensure uninterrupted power availability during the summer months. He highlighted the importance of utilizing maximum capacity of production units in light of the rising electricity demand and prioritizing technical efficiency and maintenance across all plants.
The meeting revealed that the total electricity production capacity of Uttar Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited has increased to 13,388 megawatts. This includes 9,120 megawatts from thermal power plants like Anpara, Obra, Harduaganj, Parichha, Jawaharpur, and Panki, along with 526.4 megawatts from hydroelectric projects. Additionally, joint ventures from projects like Mejha, Ghatampur, and Khurja contribute 3,742 megawatts to the state.
It was reported that there has been an 86% increase in the installed capacity of the production corporation from 2022 to 2026. Furthermore, approximately 10,000 megawatts of electricity is being generated from non-conventional energy sources. In response to the growing electricity demand, the Chief Minister directed the strengthening and modernization of the transmission network to ensure reliability. He emphasized that the efficiency of the transmission system is crucial for the robustness of the electricity supply structure.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to minimize any technical disruptions during the summer and ensure continuous monitoring of the transmission network. Currently, Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited operates transmission lines spanning 60,858 circuit kilometers. The state has a capacity of 205,632 MVA through 715 substations. The availability of the transmission network is recorded at 99.30%, while transmission losses have decreased to 3.2%.
He called for making the electricity distribution system more accountable and consumer-centric. The Chief Minister directed that accountability be established feeder-wise, stating that negligence at any level regarding transformer failures, feeder disruptions, or complaint resolutions will not be tolerated. He insisted on maintaining a rapid response system at the field level, especially during adverse weather conditions like storms and extreme temperatures.
The meeting noted that storms on May 4, 7, and 15 affected 38 substations and 326 feeders in the state, but repair and restoration work was carried out swiftly. The Chief Minister also instructed that prior approval from competent authorities be ensured before excavation at sites with underground cables to avoid disruptions in the electricity supply. He viewed the reduction in transformer damage incidents positively and directed further improvements.
It was reported that there has been an approximately 80% decrease in power transformer damage compared to the 2022-23 period. In 2022-23, 429 power transformers were damaged, while this number dropped to 87 in 2025-26. The meeting also highlighted a significant reduction in damage rates for distribution transformers with capacities over 100 kVA. In 2022-23, 39,177 large transformers were damaged, which fell to 20,292 in 2025-26. Officials attributed this improvement to the extensive establishment of safety mechanisms, timely repairs, and accountability measures.
The meeting also indicated a notable increase in temperature this April and May compared to the previous year, leading to a continuous rise in electricity demand. From April 15 to May 22, the average daily demand rose from 501 million units to 561 million units, while peak demand increased from 29,831 megawatts to 30,339 megawatts.
On May 20, 21, and 22, Uttar Pradesh ranked second among states in the country for meeting electricity demand. The Chief Minister instructed to ensure electricity availability from all possible sources to meet the rising demand. Despite disruptions in power availability at various plants due to different reasons since May 15, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has established power banking arrangements with 12 states.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a long-term energy strategy in light of future demand. The meeting revealed that between 2015 and 2026, the state has tied up for a total of 32,305 megawatts of electricity capacity, with approximately 62% of this capacity added in the last three years. Efforts are underway to provide an additional 10,719 megawatts of capacity by 2029 to meet future demand, including wind, battery energy storage, pumped hydro, and hybrid energy projects.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of making consumer services more technology-driven and transparent. The meeting noted that a new integrated call center system has been implemented since November 2025, operating with load balancing from Lucknow and Noida centers. Under this new system, call handling capacity has increased from 75,000 to 90,000 calls per day. The Chief Minister directed Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and State Minister Kailash Singh Rajput to physically inspect the helpline call center and assess the system.
He instructed officials to ensure timely and accurate information is provided to the public in case of power supply disruptions.
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