‘State-owned thermal plants to double their capacity by 2022’

LUCKNOW: The state-owned thermal plants will almost double their production capacity from 5,474 MW now to 12,734 MW in 2022 with several underconstruction power units expected to be ready by then.

Giving this information after holing a meeting to review the progress of UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam’s under-construction plants, state energy minister Shrikant Sharma said 7,260 MW additional thermal power would be available from the upcoming units by 2022.

“Of this, 1320 MW generation will be available this year only,” he added. Giving details of the upcoming thermal units, the minister said two units of 660 MW each had been set up in the joint venture with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) with an investment of

Rs 12,176 crore at Meja in Prayagraj. “It is one unit started in April last year and the second unit will start generating power in the first week next month,” Sharma added.

Similarly, 660 MW Harduaganj thermal plant being set up with an investment of Rs 6,011.83 crore will start functioning in December this year while the Obra-C thermal plant consisting of two units of 660 MW each will also start in March next year.

The Obra-C plant has entailed an investment of Rs 10,416 crore. The Jawaharpur and the Ghatampur plants will also be ready by 2022. The minister further said the upcoming power plants will help the state become self-reliant in energy.

He directed the officials to ensure timely completion of all the coal-fired power plants while taking care of environment at the same time.