Meerut: On one hand, Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL), has come up with a scheme to promote rooftop solar energy generation in which farmers are encouraged to install solar panels with promise that extra energy will be bought by power corporation and at the same time, it violates agreement with the sugar mills in which the former is supposed to buy electricity produced by these mills in huge quantities.

During peak crushing season, these sugar mills produce close to 1,500 MW of electricity, but the power corporation suddenly shows its inability to buy the power every now and then. The reasons UPPCL cites for its inability to buy power are unconvincing, say sugar millers.

According to Deepak Guptara, secretary, UP Sugar Mills Association, "It requires huge cost to run massive boilers and they cannot be shut down suddenly. Collectively, sugar mills earn close to Rs 150-200 crore from sale of power. The sale and purchase of power is governed by an agreement between sugar mills and UPPCL. And it cannot be broken unilaterally. But every few days, the power corporation suddenly stops buying power from us. This is not right."

As per the data provided by the UP cane commissioner's office, a total of 116 sugar mills are running in UP, out of which 92 are privately owned. In all, 54 sugar mills have the capacity to generate 1,510 MW of power. Out of this, western UP area produces almost half - 720 MW. In all, 30 sugar mills of western UP located in Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli, Meerut, Bijnor, Amroha, Bulandshahr, Rampur, etc. produce electricity.

An official who did not wish to be quoted said, "There are primarily two reasons for erratic purchase of power from these sugar mills. First, during winters, the demand for power hits low and we do not require extra electricity. Secondly, we always look for cheaper sources of electricity and we go for it when we find one."

Interestingly, there is hardly any village in western UP which enjoys 24-hour electricity. In fact, a few villages do not have power supply at all.

While all this is going on, Uttar Pradesh government is also promoting rooftop generation of power through solar panels. According to Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) superintending engineer AK Gupta, who is handling the project for western UP, "The project is in nascent stage and requires a lot of groundwork. But yes, we are encouraging public to adopt rooftop solar power generation and as per the tariff fixed by UP Power Regulatory Commission, each individual who provides us with power will be paid at the rate of 0.50 paise per unit of electricity."

Guptara, however, has his own point, "The sugar mills generate power by burning bagasse (remains of sugarcane after its juice has been extracted). And, cost of installation of power generation plant comes out to be Rs. 5 crore per MW. On the contrary, the cost of installation of solar power is Rs 18 crore per MW and then you require a lot of space to erect solar panels. We are not against solar power generation, but if you say that you don't need power then how come you are promising to purchase power from those with solar panels?" he asked.