“Uttar Pradesh is accelerating its clean energy transition with advanced green grid substations, integrating renewable power, reducing emissions, and enhancing grid efficiency. These efforts align with India’s 500 GW renewable energy goal by 2030, supported by innovative technologies and sustainable infrastructure development.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Clean Energy with Green Grid Substations
Uttar Pradesh (UP), India’s most populous state, is making significant strides in its clean energy journey by upgrading its power infrastructure with green grid substations. These substations, spearheaded by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) and the Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL), are designed to integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the state’s electricity grid, aligning with India’s ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.
In recent developments, UP has operationalized several advanced substations, including those in Meerut, Agra, and Varanasi, incorporating digital technologies to reduce reliance on traditional materials like copper cables and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas, which has a high global warming potential. For instance, the 220 kV substation in Meerut has adopted digital systems, cutting down copper usage by nearly 60%, according to POWERGRID’s 2025 sustainability report. Similarly, a pilot project in Agra is testing eco-friendly gases as alternatives to SF6, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
These substations are part of the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) initiative, launched in 2012 by POWERGRID, which aims to facilitate the evacuation and transmission of renewable energy across India. In UP, the GEC has enabled the integration of approximately 2.5 GW of renewable energy into the grid as of August 2025, with plans to scale up to 5 GW by 2027. The state’s renewable energy capacity, including solar and wind, has reached 7.8 GW as of October 2024, accounting for 18% of UP’s total power capacity, per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The adoption of smart grid technologies is another key feature of UP’s green substations. These systems enhance grid reliability by optimizing power flow and reducing transmission losses, which have historically plagued UP’s power sector. According to a 2025 report by the India Smart Grid Forum, UP’s smart metering initiatives, integrated with green substations, have improved energy efficiency by 12% in urban areas like Lucknow and Kanpur. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are also being explored to manage the intermittency of renewable sources, ensuring stable power supply during peak demand.
UP’s efforts align with the national Green Grids Initiative – One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG), launched by India and the UK in 2021 at COP26. This global initiative promotes interconnected electricity grids to maximize renewable energy utilization. In UP, cross-border transmission links with Nepal are under consideration to enhance regional energy trade, with studies indicating a potential 1 GW power exchange capacity by 2028.
The state government is also investing in afforestation around substation facilities, with over 1.2 lakh saplings planted in 2024 alone, as part of POWERGRID’s environmental commitment. These initiatives not only reduce the carbon footprint but also create local employment, with approximately 300 jobs generated per substation during construction and maintenance phases.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Delays in land acquisition and right-of-way issues have slowed some projects, particularly in rural UP, where 70% of the state’s population resides. The MNRE has reported that curtailment of solar power output, due to grid congestion during low-demand periods, affected 10% of UP’s renewable generation in the first half of 2025. To address this, UPPTCL is upgrading transmission lines, with 1,200 ckm of new lines planned by March 2026.
Private sector participation is also gaining momentum. Companies like NTPC Green Energy and Avaada Group have signed MoUs with UPPTCL to develop solar projects linked to these substations, with investments worth ₹15,000 crore announced in 2025. These collaborations aim to bolster UP’s renewable energy ecosystem, supporting the state’s goal of achieving 22% renewable energy share by 2030.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, and the India Smart Grid Forum, along with insights from recent industry analyses. Data is accurate as of September 2025 and subject to change based on new developments.