​UP cabinet approves 2,400MW expansion of Meja thermal power project

​Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet has approved the expansion of the Meja Super Thermal Power Project in Prayagraj with the addition of three new power generation units of 800MW each, taking the proposed new capacity to 2,400MW.The project will be developed through a 50:50 joint venture between UP govt and NTPC at an estimated investment of around Rs 38,157 crore. State energy minister Arvind Kumar Sharma said the decision followed a revision in the original plan prepared during the UP Global Investors Summit 2023.Sharma said, “State govt had initially signed an MOU with NTPC for setting up two 660MW units at Meja. However, during the planning and land assessment stage, it was found that the available land and infrastructure could support a larger and more cost efficient project.”He said the proposal was subsequently revised to establish three units of 800MW each instead of two 660MW units. The revised proposal received cabinet approval on Monday, paving the way for the creation of an additional 2,400MW generation capacity in the state.The minister said the first unit is targeted to be commissioned within five years, while the second and third units are expected to become operational within 69 months and 78 months, respectively.Sharma said Meja already has operational power generation units under a joint venture with NTPC and the electricity produced there has remained comparatively cost efficient. According to state govt, the levelised tariff for the new project is estimated at around Rs 6.64 per unit at current prices and could reduce to around Rs 6.20 per unit after completion.The water source for the Meja Super Thermal Power Project will be taken from river Ganga.In a separate decision, the cabinet approved the construction of the 765/400 kV (4×1500 MVA) Mirzapur pooling substation along with associated transmission lines. The transmission project is estimated to cost Rs 2799.47 crore, including Rs 1315.91 crore for substation and bay construction and Rs 1483.56 crore for transmission lines.A pooling substation is a central facility where electricity from multiple generation projects (like thermal plants, solar parks, pumped storage projects) are aggregated or collected, and transmitted to the main power grid.