[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] Planning and management of renewable and non-renewable energy resources of UP

Planning & Management of Energy Resources in UP:

1. Renewable Energy Resources (The “Green Transition”)

Trend: Shift from “Potential Analysis” to “Policy Implementation” and “Target Achievement (22 GW Solar Goal).”

A. Solar Energy (The Backbone)

• Policy Framework: UP Solar Energy Policy 2022.
  • Target: Generate 22,000 MW (22 GW) by 2026-27.
  • Strategy: Solar Parks (Bundelkhand), Rooftop Solar (Urban), and Solarization of pumps (Rural).
• Key Initiatives:
  • Solar Cities: Ayodhya (Model Solar City) and Varanasi.
    • Ayodhya: 40 MW solar plant by NTPC, solar streetlights, and solar boats in Saryu.
  • Floating Solar: Projects in Lalitpur (Matatila Dam) and Bakhira Lake to utilize water bodies without land acquisition issues.
  • Bundelkhand Green Energy Corridor: Evacuation infrastructure for 4000 MW solar projects in the arid region.

B. Bio-Energy & Green Hydrogen

• UP Green Hydrogen Policy 2024:
  • Target: Production of 1 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) of Green Hydrogen/Ammonia by 2028.
  • Incentives: Capital subsidy (up to 40% for first 5 projects), 100% exemption on electricity duty for 10 years.
• Bio-Energy:
  • Compressed Biogas (CBG): Promotion of “Waste to Wealth” using agricultural stubble and press-mud (sugar mills).
  • Target: One CBG plant in every district (75 districts).

C. PM-KUSUM Scheme (Rural Management)

• Component A: Setting up small solar power plants on barren land.
• Component B: Installation of standalone solar pumps (UP is a top performer).
• Component C: Solarization of agricultural feeders to provide day-time reliable power to farmers.

Current Affairs Linkage :

• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: UP launched a massive drive in 2024-25 to saturate 25 Lakh households with rooftop solar, providing subsidies directly to bank accounts.
• Ayodhya Solar City: By early 2025, Ayodhya achieved the status of UP’s first “Solar City” with significant street lighting and government buildings running on solar power.

2. Non-Renewable Energy Resources (Base Load Management)

Trend: “Thermal Efficiency” and “Coal Security.”

A. Thermal Power (The Mainstay)

• Current Status: Thermal power constitutes ~60-70% of UP’s total installed capacity.
• New Capacity Addition:
  • Obra ‘C’ (2×660 MW): Supercritical technology to reduce emissions.
  • Jawaharpur (Etah) & Ghatampur (Kanpur): Recently commissioned units to meet the peak demand (reached 30,000 MW in summer 2024).
• Management Strategy: Replacing old, inefficient units (e.g., Panki) with Supercritical units to improve Plant Load Factor (PLF) and reduce coal consumption per unit.

B. Coal Resources (Sonbhadra Belt)

• Location: Singrauli Coalfields (Sonbhadra) – “Energy Capital of India.”
• Issues:
  • Safety: Recent mining accidents (e.g., Nov 2025 quarry collapse) highlighting the need for stricter safety audits.
  • Environment: Fly ash disposal challenges in Sonbhadra; mandatory utilization in brick kilns/road construction.

3. Planning & Management Strategies

Trend: “Smart Grids” and “Energy Conservation.”

A. Demand Side Management (DSM)

• Smart Metering: Aggressive installation of smart prepaid meters to reduce Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses.
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC): Mandatory for new commercial complexes.

B. Institutional Framework

• UPNEDA: Nodal agency for renewable energy implementation.
• UPRVUNL: State Genco managing thermal power plants.

Current Affairs Linkage :

• Green Kumbh 2025: A strategic plan to power the Mahakumbh Mela area significantly with renewable energy sources and battery-operated transport.
• Pumped Storage Projects: UP government signed MoUs in 2024 for Off-stream Closed Loop Pumped Storage Projects in Sonbhadra and Mirzapur to store solar energy for night-time use.