Uttar Pradesh set a new milestone this Diwali, recording the highest electricity consumption in the country. According to data from the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC), the state used a staggering 1,490 lakh units of power in just 24 hours, surpassing other high-demand states like Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Rajasthan.
Haryana came second with 1,390 lakh units, followed by Punjab at 880 lakh, Delhi at 830 lakh, and Rajasthan at 560 lakh units. This surge in electricity usage reflects the combined effect of Diwali celebrations, industrial activity, and domestic demand.
Officials said the sharp rise in power consumption led to full-scale generation at major power plants across the state, especially in Sonbhadra district. Units under the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam, NTPC, and private operators were running near maximum capacity to meet the high demand. 
At the time of reporting, the Anpara A plant (1,630 MW) generated 1,364 MW, Anpara B (1,000 MW) produced 900 MW, and Anpara D (1,000 MW) supplied 931 MW. The Obra C plant (1,320 MW) generated 1,200 MW, while Obra B (1,000 MW) produced 522 MW. In the private sector, the Lanco power plant (1,200 MW) delivered 722 MW. NTPC’s Rihand project (3,000 MW) and Singrauli Super Thermal Power Station (2,000 MW) ran close to full capacity, generating around 2,978 MW each.
During peak hours, the state’s transmission lines were heavily loaded. The 765 kV lines exceeded their rated capacity at several points, with Unnao transmitting 777 kV, Lucknow 792 kV, Ballia 778 kV, Bareilly 787 kV, and Meerut 795 kV. Similarly, the 400 kV lines, including Rihand (401 kV and 405 kV) and Gorakhpur (408 kV), carried power beyond standard limits. Bareilly’s two 400 kV lines were operating at 415 kV each, indicating strong load on the grid.
Despite this record demand, officials confirmed that power supply remained stable across the state without major outages. All power stations were directed to maintain optimal output, and emergency coordination teams stayed on standby. A dedicated helpline number, 8960697062, was made available for any technical issues or supply disruptions.
Peak demand last Diwali stood around 23,000 MW. This year, on Diwali eve, demand reached nearly 21,000 MW, staying between 17,000 and 18,000 MW during the day. Officials expect consumption to remain above 20,000 MW until the Chhath festival, highlighting the growing energy needs of the state.
