UP CM Yogi Adityanath orders uninterrupted power supply amid peak heat demand
Synopsis
With UP's peak power demand crossing 30,339 MW and average daily consumption hitting 561 million units, CM Yogi Adityanath has put the entire energy bureaucracy on notice — fixing feeder-wise accountability, overhauling smart meter billing, and demanding a long-term demand strategy, all in one Sunday review.
Key Takeaways
CM Yogi Adityanath chaired a power supply review on Sunday, 25 May in Lucknow , attended by the Energy Minister and all DISCOM officials.
Peak power demand in UP rose from 29,831 MW to 30,339 MW between 15 April and 22 May 2025 .
Average daily demand met increased from 501 million units to 561 million units in the same period.
The state transmission network spans 60,858 circuit kilometres with availability at 99.30% and losses at 3.2% .
89.23 lakh smart meters installed; all prepaid consumers shifted to postpaid billing from June 2025 .
Smart meter complaint camps to run statewide from 15 May to 30 June 2025 .
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday, 25 May directed the state's Energy Department to ensure round-the-clock electricity supply across Uttar Pradesh — covering both rural and urban areas — as the state grapples with extreme summer heat and a sharp surge in power demand. The directives followed a high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in Lucknow.
Key Directives from the Review Meeting
The review was attended by Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, Minister of State Kailash Singh Rajput, and senior officials from the Energy Department, Power Corporation, and all DISCOMs. Chief Minister Yogi stressed that the power distribution system must be made more accountable and consumer-centric, ordering that feeder-wise accountability be fixed at every level.
He stated: 'The power distribution system in the state should be made more accountable and consumer-centric. While directing that feeder-wise accountability be fixed, the negligence at any level regarding transformer breakdowns, feeder disruptions, or complaint redressal would not be accepted.'
Officials were further instructed to strengthen and modernise the transmission network, minimise technical disruptions during the summer season, and carry out continuous monitoring of transmission infrastructure.
Demand Surge and Grid Performance
The scale of the challenge is evident in consumption data. Between 15 April and 22 May, average daily power demand met climbed from 501 million units to 561 million units, while peak demand rose from 29,831 megawatts to 30,339 megawatts. According to officials, the state's power transmission corporation is currently operating transmission lines spanning 60,858 circuit kilometres, with network availability recorded at 99.30 per cent and transmission losses reduced to 3.2 per cent.
Smart Meters and Consumer Transparency
Chief Minister Yogi also addressed the state's smart meter rollout, noting that 89.23 lakh smart meters have been installed across Uttar Pradesh so far. All smart prepaid meter consumers have been converted to a postpaid system, and from June onwards, bills will be issued between the 1st and 10th of every month via SMS, WhatsApp, and email. Special camps for resolving smart meter-related complaints are being organised statewide from 15 May to 30 June.
The Chief Minister emphasised that communication and transparency are essential to strengthening consumer confidence, and directed that in the event of any supply disruption, timely and accurate public information must be provided.
Long-Term Energy Strategy
Beyond immediate summer management, the Chief Minister directed officials to frame a long-term energy strategy keeping future demand projections in mind. He also instructed Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and Minister of State Kailash Singh Rajput to personally inspect helpline call centres and review complaint-redressal arrangements.
'Electricity supply is not merely a technical subject, but is connected to the lives of common citizens, irrigation for farmers, commercial activities, and industrial development,' the Chief Minister said.
With all DISCOMs directed to coordinate closely, the government's next test will be sustaining grid stability as temperatures are expected to remain elevated through June.
Point of View
And with elections perpetually on the horizon, Yogi's administration cannot afford the optics of rural blackouts. Yet the real test is execution: transmission availability at 99.30% looks impressive on paper, but feeder-level reliability in rural UP has historically lagged headline metrics. The shift to postpaid smart meter billing is a meaningful consumer-friendly correction, but converting 89 lakh meters mid-cycle also creates a billing reconciliation burden that DISCOMs are rarely equipped to handle cleanly. The long-term energy strategy directive is the most consequential ask — and the one least likely to produce a verifiable outcome before the next review meeting.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Yogi Adityanath call a power supply review in May 2025?
The review was called in response to extreme summer heat driving a sharp surge in electricity demand across Uttar Pradesh. Peak demand rose from 29,831 MW to 30,339 MW between 15 April and 22 May 2025, prompting the Chief Minister to direct all DISCOMs to ensure uninterrupted supply.
What is the current state of UP's power transmission network?
According to state officials, the UP power transmission corporation operates lines spanning 60,858 circuit kilometres, with network availability at 99.30 per cent and transmission losses reduced to 3.2 per cent.
How is the smart meter billing system changing in Uttar Pradesh?
All smart prepaid meter consumers in UP have been converted to a postpaid system. From June 2025, bills will be issued between the 1st and 10th of each month and delivered via SMS, WhatsApp, and email.
What action has been ordered for transformer and feeder failures?
CM Yogi directed that feeder-wise accountability be fixed at every level, with zero tolerance for negligence related to transformer breakdowns, feeder disruptions, or delayed complaint redressal. Regular monitoring of field officers and strict action against negligence were also ordered.
Who attended the power supply review meeting chaired by CM Yogi?
The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma, Minister of State Kailash Singh Rajput, and senior officials from the Energy Department, Power Corporation, and all DISCOMs in Uttar Pradesh.
