Uttar Pradesh is going through a massive transformation in its power sector. Gone are the days when the state was considered as a deficient state instead it is transitioning toward becoming a power-surplus state, despite grappling with some of the fastest-growing electricity demands in the country. Uttar Pradesh, in fact, has successfully managed to secure enough power generation to technically cover its massive population. The peak supply reaching 32000 MW is the success story of the Yogi government which had inherited the power-deficient state in 2017.With the Second-Highest Demand in India, Driven heavily by residential cooling (air conditioners) and rural electrification, UP’s peak power demand has surged dramatically, routinely crossing 31 to 33 GW during peak summer months. It ranks second only to Maharashtra in terms of peak electricity demand nationwide. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), UP is projected to hold a comfortable, net annual surplus of around 13% in peak demand capability and over 14% in overall energy availability.UP’s installed power capacity sits around 31,600+ MW, relying on a mix of traditional and transitioning energy sources: Thermal, Renewable Energy (including large hydro) and SolarThe district headquarters are receiving near-seamless power 24 hours a day, while rural grid connectivity has expanded significantly, now averaging roughly 22.6 hours a day of supply.
An illuminated state
Under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya), 100% electrification of all identified willing households in Uttar Pradesh was completed by March 31, 2021, benefiting over 2.86 crore rural and urban families.
- The highest number of electricity connections in the country under the Saubhagya scheme has been given in Uttar Pradesh so far. The Ministry of Power, Government of India, awarded Uttar Pradesh for achieving a high number of connections under this scheme.
- To facilitate irrigation, 2.42 lakh private tubewell connections were issued to farmers between April 2022 and December 2025 under the ‘Full Deposit Scheme’ and the ‘Chief Minister’s Minor Irrigation Scheme’. Electrification of 2,51,487 previously unconnected households was carried out under the RDSS scheme.
- Smart meters have been installed for 59.17 lakh consumers.
- To reduce line losses, 1,24,210 circuit kilometers of open LT (Low Tension) wires and damaged cables were replaced with Aerial Bunched (AB) cables. This resulted in a reduction of line losses; the line loss stood at 13.77% in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
- Consumers have access to online facilities for obtaining new connections and paying bills from the comfort of their homes. In rural areas, electricity consumers can pay their bills through Consumer Service Centers, Common Service Centers (CSCs), Self-Help Groups, ration shops, ‘Vidyut Sakhis’ (women electricity facilitators), and meter readers.
- Rural private tubewell consumers in the Bundelkhand region are provided the benefit of a seasonal tariff and temporary electricity connections for irrigating the single Rabi crop.
- The tariff currently applicable to public electric vehicle charging stations in the state has also been extended to state transport services.
As many as 1,587,369 distribution transformers were installed between the period of 2017 and November 2025 but the number now rose to 27,91,844. During the same period, 765 substations (33/11 kV) were constructed, raising the total count now to 4,582.The electricity supply reached a total of 128,494 ‘Majras’ by 2017, this network was expanded to electrify 2,94,818 ‘Majras’ achieving 100% electrification.Compared to approximately 8.44 lakh electricity connections issued during the 2012–17 period, 165 lakh connections have been issued from 2017 to date.The ‘Jhatpat Portal’ has been launched for domestic consumers seeking new connections.A decision has been made to provide free electricity supply to farmers operating private tubewells.Under the Bill Relief Scheme, provisions have been introduced, for the first time, to offer waivers on principal outstanding amounts as well as on the revenue assessment amounts in cases of electricity theft.The failure rate for power transformers and distribution transformers stood at 1.96% and 9.31% respectively up to November 2024 (in the 2024–25 fiscal year); these figures dropped to 0.68% and 6.55% respectively by November 2025 (in the 2025–26 fiscal year).Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the progress of loss-reduction works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, with an implementation progress of 96%. The state also holds the top position in smart metering initiatives under the same scheme.So far, the installation of 5.6 million (56 lakh) consumer meters, 219,000 (2.19 lakh) distribution transformer (DT) meters, and 20,000 feeder meters (100% coverage) has been completed.
Distribution sector
Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country regarding Green Energy Corridor projects. The state’s transmission capability increased from 17,890 MW in 2016-17 to 31,500 MW, and the transmission system’s power import capacity rose from 7,800 MW to 16,700 MW during the same period. Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Ltd. was honored with the ‘Transmission Company of the Year – State Transco Award 2025’ at a national ceremony organized by PowerGen India, recognizing its achievements in meeting peak power demand and planning the largest transmission network in terms of lines and capacity (MVA).
Generation sector
Maximum demand was successfully met:28,284 MW in 2023-2430,618 MW in 2024-25;31,486 MW in 2025-26.
Transmission sector
The total commissioned capacity in the state from all sources was 29,750 MW as of March 31, 2022; this has increased by 2,509 MW to reach the current level of 32,259 MW. The total contracted capacity in the state’s generation sector currently stands at 55,860 MW.
Green Energy Corridor (GEC)
The Green Energy Corridor is a dedicated power transmission network designed to evacuate and transmit electricity generated from renewable energy sources, primarily solar power, to the state and national grids. In Uttar Pradesh, it is a critical component of the state’s clean energy transition and renewable energy expansion strategy.
Objective
The main purpose of the Green Energy Corridor is to:
- Integrate large-scale renewable energy into the power grid.
- Facilitate evacuation of solar power from renewable-energy-rich regions, especially Bundelkhand.
- Strengthen transmission infrastructure to support Uttar Pradesh’s renewable energy targets.
- Improve grid stability and reduce dependence on fossil-fuel-based power generation.
Green Energy Corridor-II in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is implementing Green Energy Corridor Phase-II through the UP Power Transmission Corporation Limited with an investment of approximately Rs 5400 crore. This is a dedicated transmission infrastructure to support the state’s target of 22,000 MW solar capacity with focus on transmitting solar power generated in Bundelkhand to demand centers across the state.
Bundelkhand: The renewable energy hub
Bundelkhand has emerged as Uttar Pradesh’s primary solar-energy zone due to:
- High solar radiation.
- Availability of large land parcels.
- Development of major solar parks in districts such as
Mahoba , Jhansi, Jalaun, Lalitpur, and Chitrakoot.
The Green Energy Corridor is being built primarily to evacuate power generated from these projects.The Green Energy Corridor will:
- Support Uttar Pradesh’s target of becoming a major renewable-energy state.
- Enable integration of 22 GW of solar power into the grid.
- Reduce transmission bottlenecks.
- Improve energy security and reliability.
- Help achieve climate and sustainability goals.
- Attract investment in solar parks, battery storage, green hydrogen, and related industries.
Solar power push in UP
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s fastest-growing solar energy markets. The solar power sector in Uttar Pradesh is witnessing unprecedented growth. With nearly 3.5 GW of installed solar capacity, over 1 GW of rooftop solar, extensive agricultural solarization programmes, and a target of 22 GW by 2027, the state is positioning itself as a leading renewable energy hub in India. Continued investment, policy support, and infrastructure development will be crucial for achieving these ambitious goals. Driven by rising power demand, government incentives, agricultural solarization, and rooftop solar programmes, the state is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity. The state aims to become a major contributor to India’s clean energy transition.
Current status
Uttar Pradesh has installed approximately 3,600 MW of solar power capacity, making solar the largest component of the state’s renewable energy portfolio. The solar sector includes:Ground-mounted solar projects: about 2,800 MWRooftop solar systems: about 400 MWOff-grid and PM-KUSUM solar installations: about 400 MWThe state’s total renewable energy capacity has crossed 6,300 MW, with solar accounting for more than half of the renewable energy mix.
Ambitious targets
Under the Uttar Pradesh Solar Energy Policy 2022, the state has set a target of 22,000 MW of solar power by 2027. To achieve this goal, the government is focusing on:
- Large solar parks
- Rooftop solar installations
- Solarization of agricultural feeders
- Solar projects along expressways and railway corridors
- Promotion of solar manufacturing industries
Rooftop solar revolution
Uttar Pradesh has become a national leader under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.Key achievements include:More than 300,000 rooftop solar installations completed.Over 1 GW of rooftop solar capacity was achieved.More than 10 lakh households have applied for rooftop solar systems.The scheme is helping households reduce electricity bills, generate surplus power, and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Solar power in agriculture
Agriculture is a major focus area for solar expansion. Through the PM-KUSUM scheme, Uttar Pradesh is:Solarizing thousands of agricultural feeders.Promoting solar irrigation pumps.Enabling farmers to earn additional income by selling surplus electricity to the grid.Providing reliable daytime power supply for agriculture.More than 1,500 MW of solar projects have already been sanctioned under PM-KUSUM feeder solarization programmes.
Major opportunities
Uttar Pradesh possesses several advantages for solar development:Vast availability of land in Bundelkhand and other regions.High agricultural electricity demand.Large rooftop potential in urban centres such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi.Growing industrial demand for green power.Strong policy support and investment promotion measures.
