The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved two “Obra D” thermal power projects of 800 MW each to be built at a cost of Rs 18,000 crore in Sonbhadra district. As per reports, Uttar Pradesh has thermal power generation capacity of nearly 7000 MW and a large chunk of this capacity, about one fourth, would be generated from the proposed Obra-D plant. It is aimed at providing cheaper electricity to the people, the first “Ultra-Supercritical” thermal power plants of the state, which will enhance the power generation capacity by 1,600 MW, were approved at the Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Power consumption in the state has been going up consistently with the peak summer season in the state seeing the power demand rising up to 27,000 MW and a consequent rise in the cost of electricity. The first plant will be ready in 50 months (over four years). The government will execute the projects with a 50:50 partnership with the Central Government-owned power generator NTPC.