Despite a slew of power projects announced by the state government to add fresh power generation capacity, the power crisis is expected to plague the state for at least a decade.

According to UPPCL estimates, the power demand in the state by the end of 11th Five Year plan in 2012 will be close to 34,000 MW.

The availability of power from all sources including the state’s share in Central sector power plants, green field power projects on PPP model in pipeline, will be 12,433 MW, thus leaving a deficit of over 21,000 MW.

The gap between demand and supply is set to grow during the 12th Five Year plan ending in 2017. The power demand in 2017 is estimated to be around 47,563 MW while the availability is estimated to be only 20,831 MW, thus leaving a deficit of 26,732 MW.

Earlier this week, the state government floated tenders for the selection of the consultant for studying the feasibility of setting up five thermal power plants — Chitrakoot, Farrukhabad, Bulandsahar, Mau and Sandila — with a total installed capacity of 9,840 MW.

Besides the projects announced recently, the power projects — Anpara E, Jawaharpur, Dopha, Bara and Karchana — with total installed capacity of 8,940 MW are at various stages of consideration.

“At least 36 months is required for completing a thermal power project from the date of financial closure. All projects including Anpara E, Jawaharpur, Sonbhadra and the five projects announced this week, are far from financial closure,” said a senior official of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL).

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