Uttar Pradesh is considering a ₹5,500 crore investment in battery storage infrastructure to improve energy security, support renewable power integration and meet rising electricity demand by 2035-36.
The Uttar Pradesh government is considering an investment of ₹5,500 crore to strengthen its green energy infrastructure and address the state's future electricity storage needs. The proposal aims to improve power availability during non-solar hours and reduce dependence on expensive electricity purchases during peak demand.
The initiative is part of the state's resource adequacy plan prepared by Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL). It is intended to support energy security and help the state accommodate the growing role of renewable energy in its electricity mix.
Under the proposed plan, Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) will install battery energy storage systems at six thermal power stations: Anpara, Obra, Harduaganj, Panki, Parichha and Jawaharpur.
These facilities would store electricity during periods of lower demand and make it available when consumption rises, including during hours when solar power generation is unavailable.
The proposed systems are expected to provide a reliable source of electricity within the state, particularly during peak-demand periods. According to UPRVUNL Managing Director Mayur Maheshwari, battery storage would help deliver cleaner electricity outside solar-generation hours while reducing the need to purchase costly power from external sources.
The existing land, switchyards and power evacuation infrastructure at the six stations could also support the installation and operation of the planned storage facilities.
A feasibility study prepared by the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, has assessed the potential battery storage capacity at the selected locations.
The proposed distribution is as follows:
Anpara: 500 MWh
Obra: 100 MWh
Harduaganj: 150 MWh
Panki: 150 MWh
Parichha: 150 MWh
Jawaharpur: 3,200 MWh
The combined proposed capacity is 4,250 MWh, with Jawaharpur accounting for the largest share of the planned storage infrastructure.
The project is expected to cover approximately 8% of Uttar Pradesh's projected additional energy storage requirement of 52,977 MWh during 2026-27 to 2035-36, according to the Central Electricity Authority's Resource Adequacy Report for the state.
The broader planning requirement is approximately 53,000 MWh by 2035-36, highlighting the scale of investment needed to strengthen the state's electricity system.
Battery energy storage can help balance electricity supply and demand by storing power when demand is relatively low and releasing it during peak consumption periods.
For Uttar Pradesh, the proposed systems could improve the availability of electricity when solar generation declines. They are also expected to support grid stability and help thermal power units operate at the minimum technical load prescribed by the Central Electricity Authority.
By combining existing power infrastructure with battery storage, the state aims to improve the flexibility of its electricity network and strengthen its ability to meet changing demand patterns.
The proposal is therefore positioned as part of a broader effort to improve reliable power supply while supporting the integration of renewable energy.
UPRVUNL Managing Director Mayur Maheshwari said the initiative aligns with the objectives of Viksit Bharat and Uttar Pradesh Vision 2047. He also linked the proposed investment to the state's ambition of developing a $1 trillion economy through stronger energy security, clean energy infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.
Reliable electricity infrastructure is important for industrial expansion, business activity and the development of emerging sectors that require consistent power supplies.
The proposed investment could contribute to these objectives by helping the state manage peak demand and prepare its power network for a larger share of renewable electricity.
Alongside investments in energy infrastructure, Uttar Pradesh has significant potential to expand employment through green economic activities.
A report titled Powering Uttar Pradesh's Green Economy: Jobs, Skills and Entrepreneurship, published by the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology, has urged the state government to align skill development programmes with the needs of the emerging green economy.
According to the report, green sectors could support approximately 7.8 lakh jobs in Uttar Pradesh by 2035. Potential employment areas include renewable energy, green hydrogen, electric mobility, recycling, agroforestry and forest restoration.
Renewable energy alone could generate around 2 lakh direct jobs, particularly in operations and maintenance.
The report highlights the importance of developing relevant skills and entrepreneurship opportunities so that workers and businesses can benefit from the transition towards cleaner industries.
The proposed ₹5,500 crore investment reflects Uttar Pradesh's efforts to strengthen its electricity infrastructure and prepare for future storage requirements. If implemented, the battery projects could improve power availability during peak hours, support grid stability and reduce reliance on expensive electricity purchases.
Combined with workforce development and green-sector expansion, the initiative could contribute to the state's long-term energy security and sustainable growth ambitions.