In a decisive move to fuel its economic ambitions, Uttar Pradesh has made reliable and affordable electricity a cornerstone of its development agenda. The state government recognizes that power is the critical engine needed to drive industrial growth, build infrastructure, and ensure social progress. As India's most populous state accelerates its journey toward becoming a developed economy, expanding power generation, ensuring wider access, and meeting soaring demand have emerged as top government priorities.
A Decade of Accelerated Growth in Power Infrastructure
The last eight years have witnessed a remarkable transformation in Uttar Pradesh's energy landscape, marking a clear departure from the slower pace of previous decades. Key metrics like installed power capacity, total electricity generation, and household electrification have all expanded at a significantly faster rate. This robust growth is providing the necessary backbone for new industries, major infrastructure projects, and the daily needs of its citizens.
The long-term data tells a compelling story. Back in 1995–96, the state's installed power capacity stood at 6,049 MW. This figure grew to 7,159 MW by 2016–17, representing an addition of 1,110 MW over a 21-year span. However, the subsequent eight-year period from 2016–17 to 2024–25 saw a more impressive leap, with capacity climbing to 8,325 MW. This means a higher addition of 1,166 MW was achieved in just eight years, underscoring a sharpened focus on building generation infrastructure.
Electricity Generation and Surging Industrial Demand
The trend in actual electricity production mirrors the capacity expansion. Total power output was 2,486 crore kilowatt-hours in 2000–01 and increased to 3,017 crore kilowatt-hours by 2016–17. By 2024–25, generation had reached 3,566 crore kilowatt-hours. Strikingly, the increase of 548 crore kilowatt-hours achieved since 2016–17 surpasses the 531 crore kilowatt-hours added over the entire preceding 16-year period.
This growth is being powerfully driven by industrial activity. The average annual growth rate of electricity consumption for industrial projects has more than doubled. It rose from 4.1% between 2013–14 and 2016–17 to a robust 8.9% between 2021–22 and 2024–25. This jump is a clear indicator of faster-paced industrial expansion and economic momentum within the state.
Powering Homes: The Electrification Leap
Perhaps the most transformative change has been in connecting households to the grid. Electrification has expanded at a breathtaking speed. The number of electricity connections surged from 180.13 lakh in 2017 to 363.98 lakh by 2024–25. This translates to approximately 184 lakh new connections added in eight years, marking an extraordinary 102% increase. This massive outreach has brought power to millions of homes, changing lives and enabling new opportunities.
The state's strategic emphasis on energy security is now yielding tangible results. By rapidly scaling up installed power capacity and electricity generation while executing a massive household electrification drive, Uttar Pradesh is building a solid foundation to support its ambitious economic and social goals for the future.
