Power Reforms Accelerate in Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Orders Crackdown on Overbilling, Smart Meter Push, and 16 GW Infrastructure Upgrade
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launches a major power sector overhaul. With 31 lakh smart meters already installed, audits mandated, and plans to boost generation capacity to 16 GW under the PM-KUSUM scheme, UP’s electricity landscape is being transformed.
NewsSutra
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is witnessing a dramatic transformation in its power infrastructure under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Grappling with long-standing issues like power theft, overbilling, and capacity deficits, the CM has now initiated a state-wide crackdown on irregularities in electricity distribution while ramping up modernization efforts.
From the mandatory rollout of smart meters — with over 31 lakh already installed — to enforcing strict audits of distribution companies (DISCOMs) and pushing solar infrastructure under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), the reformist approach aims to not only make electricity affordable and accessible but also clean and corruption-free.
A History of Power Struggles in UP
For decades, Uttar Pradesh’s power sector was mired in inefficiencies — ranging from rampant power theft and unaccounted transmission losses to politically-influenced waivers and poor infrastructure. Consumer trust had eroded, with lakhs of citizens raising complaints of overbilling, faulty meters, and inflated charges.
In rural areas, the situation was worse. Farmers, despite being the backbone of the state’s economy, often faced erratic supply, high tariffs, and broken transformers with long wait times for replacements.
Recognizing the gravity of the issue, CM Yogi has declared energy sector reform as a top governance priority in 2025.
Smart Meters: 31 Lakh Units and Counting
A major breakthrough in this reform push is the aggressive deployment of smart electricity meters. So far, over 31 lakh smart meters have been installed across Uttar Pradesh, enabling real-time energy usage monitoring, accurate billing, and remote disconnection in cases of fraud or non-payment.
These smart meters are being installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and in line with the broader digital push under India’s Digital India Mission.
“Smart meters are the backbone of a transparent and efficient billing ecosystem. They ensure the consumer pays only for what they consume,” stated a senior official from UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) in a recent update published on uppcl.org.
The meters are being equipped with remote reading capabilities, drastically reducing the dependency on manual meter readers — often accused of bribery or misreporting.
Audits and Crackdown on Overbilling
In response to rising consumer grievances, CM Yogi has ordered comprehensive audits of DISCOMs and called for a state-wide inspection of high-consumption accounts. Audit teams are being deployed to examine irregular bills, cross-check smart meter data, and detect unauthorized load usage.
According to a recent directive published by Chief Minister's Office – UP Government, all DISCOMs have been instructed to:
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Submit weekly reports on billing anomalies
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Resolve genuine consumer complaints within 72 hours
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Suspend or prosecute officials found guilty of intentional overbilling
In several districts, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Varanasi, surprise inspections have already led to the suspension of junior engineers and billing clerks involved in corrupt practices.
The 16 GW Target: Boosting Capacity and Reliability
One of the boldest goals set by the Yogi government is to expand the state’s power generation capacity to 16 gigawatts (GW) over the next few years. This includes:
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Expanding existing thermal and hydro plants
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New solar installations under both central and state-funded programs
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Modernizing substations and transmission lines
The Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) is overseeing this capacity augmentation, especially in the renewables segment. As per upneda.in, the state currently has just over 5.5 GW of installed renewable capacity, with plans to add 4–5 GW annually through rooftop and utility-scale projects.
PM-KUSUM Scheme: Empowering Farmers with Solar Pumps
Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, the state has pledged to provide over 10 lakh solar-powered pumps to farmers by 2027. These pumps will reduce dependence on grid electricity and diesel, cutting both costs and carbon emissions.
The KUSUM scheme has three main components:
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Component-A: Solarization of grid-connected agricultural pumps.
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Component-B: Standalone solar pumps for off-grid locations.
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Component-C: Decentralized solar energy generation and usage by DISCOMs.
Uttar Pradesh is focusing heavily on Component-B, particularly in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal regions where grid access remains limited.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) noted in a recent policy note, that Uttar Pradesh is among the top-performing states in PM-KUSUM implementation in FY 2024–25.
Infrastructure Modernization: Substations, Grids, and More
CM Yogi’s power roadmap also involves comprehensive modernization of the state’s electricity infrastructure:
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Upgrading over 250 substations
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Replacing aged transformers and high-loss lines
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Laying of aerial bunched cables in theft-prone areas
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Digitization of load centers and feeder analytics
The transformation aligns with India’s broader National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM), aimed at minimizing aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C) losses.
Furthermore, an initiative is underway to replace all low-tension overhead lines with underground cabling in key urban zones like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Agra, improving reliability during monsoons and preventing accidents.
Political and Economic Implications
While the reforms are technical in nature, they carry substantial political weight. Energy access remains a sensitive issue in Uttar Pradesh, with frequent blackouts in rural constituencies often becoming election flashpoints.
Analysts at PRS Legislative Research believe that solving the electricity crisis could significantly bolster the Yogi administration’s credibility ahead of the next state and national elections.
From an economic standpoint, improved power supply means greater industrial output, job creation, and rural productivity. Uttar Pradesh’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative and the growing MSME sector rely heavily on stable power for growth.
What Lies Ahead?
Uttar Pradesh’s power sector is at a turning point. While the goals are ambitious, success depends on execution, especially at the district and sub-district levels. The Yogi administration must ensure:
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Timely fund disbursal and project tracking
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Active involvement of private sector partners
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Continued public grievance redressal mechanisms
As per NITI Aayog’s Energy Dashboard, states that improve energy governance see a direct spike in GDP contribution from both agriculture and industry — a fact not lost on planners in Lucknow.
Conclusion
CM Yogi Adityanath’s aggressive and structured push to overhaul Uttar Pradesh’s power sector is already showing early results. With 31 lakh smart meters installed, audits underway, and a goal of 16 GW power generation within reach, UP is poised to become a leader in power reforms among Indian states.
By linking citizen welfare with technology and infrastructure, and reinforcing this with policy enforcement and clean governance, the UP model may well become a template for other large states grappling with similar power distribution challenges.
As the sun rises over India’s largest state, it may very well be solar-powered.
