‘UP ahead of Maha, Guj in energy demand driven by industrial growth'
This was stated by additional chief secretary of energy, renewable energy and technical education Narendra Bhooshan during the TOI Dialogues on Thursday.
"With a population of 25 crore and energy demand growing by 8-10% annually, UP has now overtaken even the most industrialised states. Energy is no longer just a utility — it is the enabling force behind our economic transformation," he said.
Bhooshan said energy is central to India's push to become a 1 trillion dollar economy and linked the state's plans to PM Narendra Modi's COP26 commitments: Net Zero by 2070, 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and 50% renewables.
"Our Chief Minister has aligned UP's energy strategy with these national goals. The state's commitment is strong — not just to meet growing demand but to do so sustainably," he added.
A landmark reform underway is the privatization of two large electricity distribution companies (discoms) — the biggest such move in the country.
"If we succeed in this, the rest of India will follow. This is a high-stakes reform aimed at improving service delivery, efficiency and competitiveness," Bhooshan said.
On renewables, he highlighted the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched along with the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya, which targets 22 GW of rooftop solar.
"UP has 5 crore households. Even if 2.5 crore homes install 2 KW rooftop systems, it will create a solar revolution — generating power, reducing bills and creating jobs," he said.
Solar manufacturing units worth Rs 8,000 crore have been sanctioned in Noida and Greater Noida, drawing investors such as Adani, Tata and others.
Under PM-KUSUM, 4 lakh irrigation connections have been solarised out of 16 lakh. For industry, captive and group solar parks — including projects in Bundelkhand — are supplying power at Rs 2.5–3 per unit versus Rs 8-10 from discoms.
To provide round-the-clock power, UP is promoting Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), recording India's lowest-ever BESS tariff at Rs 3.115 per unit.
Two PSPs have been sanctioned in Sonbhadra and Vijayapur. The state is also testing vertical wind turbines on expressways and tapping kinetic energy from rivers and canals, he said.
UP leads the country in compressed bio-gas (CBG) capacity with 108 projects approved and aims for at least one plant in each tehsil using paddy straw, sugar waste and cow dung. "CBG offers the best return on investment, with payback in three to four years.
It can fuel kitchens, vehicles and industries," he said. Green hydrogen is being encouraged through incentives, including a 30% capital subsidy and full SGST reimbursement; a Rs 2,500 crore subsidy has been approved for an Rs 8,000 crore project.
Bhooshan also urged industry to help design courses in cybersecurity, mechatronics and LSI design. An Rs 8,000 crore project with Tata Technologies will upgrade 121 polytechnics. Highlighting UP's logistics edge — 33% of the nation's expressways and the junction of the Eastern and Western Freight Corridors at Greater Noida — he said exports that once took days can now move in hours.
"If you have a project — come to Uttar Pradesh. If you're here — expand," he concluded.
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