From YEIDA to Sultanpur: UPERC clears Rs 567 crore to strengthen UP’s grid
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved six transmission schemes with a combined estimated cost of Rs 567.21 crore. The projects, approved on June 22, will strengthen the state’s transmission network, improve voltage stability and support growing electricity demand across multiple regions.
The approved schemes will be implemented through the Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM), Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) and Deposit modes. Of the total approved cost, Rs 74.87 crore falls under RTM, Rs 371.46 crore under TBCB and Rs 120.88 crore under Deposit mode.
Network strengthening
One of the key projects involves augmentation of the 400 kV Sultanpur substation from 945 MVA to 1,445 MVA. The project is expected to strengthen power supply in Sultanpur and neighbouring districts, including Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar, Pratapgarh, Amethi and Jaunpur.
According to the Commission, the augmentation will help the system manage peak demand and maintain reliability during maintenance activities or contingency situations. A new 500 MVA transformer will also restore compliance with the (N-1) contingency criterion after one transformer at the substation was taken out of service due to deteriorating insulation.
Projects in Tilhar and Chunar
UPERC has also approved the construction of a new 132 kV transmission line in Tilhar, Shahjahanpur district. The 4.79 km line is intended to improve voltage regulation in the area, where consumers have faced voltage fluctuations because one of the existing incoming lines is about 80 km long.
The Commission noted that the new line will provide an additional source of power and improve voltage stability for industrial and rural consumers.
In the Chunar area, a new 220/132 kV substation has been approved to strengthen the regional transmission network and improve supply reliability.
YEIDA substation project
A major component of the approvals is the construction of a 400/220 kV gas insulated substation (GIS) at Sector-28 in the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) area of Gautam Buddha Nagar.
The revised project cost has been estimated at Rs 675.53 crore, including an additional approval of Rs 247.23 crore over the previously approved cost of Rs 428.30 crore. The project is intended to support rising electricity demand from data centres and industrial developments in the region and aligns with the state’s Data Centre Policy.
Deposit works
Two schemes have been approved under the Deposit mode. These include a transmission substation for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and transmission lines for railway traction substations at Renukoot and Obra.
The Commission stated that the costs of these projects will be borne by the respective users, namely IIT Kanpur and Indian Railways, and will not be passed on to electricity consumers through tariffs.
Implementation and oversight
UPERC has directed Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL) to procure equipment and materials through transparent competitive bidding processes. The utility has also been instructed to submit completion reports detailing the actual project costs, which will be subject to prudence checks by the Commission.
The Commission further advised UPPTCL to plan future substations near load centres and reserve adequate space for future expansion in accordance with Central Electricity Authority (CEA) guidelines.
The projects were considered during the Transmission Works Committee (TWC) meeting held in the first quarter of FY 2025-26. UPERC has directed UPPTCL to file petitions promptly after Appraisal Committee approvals to facilitate timely implementation of transmission projects.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
