In an apparent bid to accelerate setting up of new power projects in the state, the Uttar Pradesh government has given industry status to power sector, state official sources said today.

A proposal in this regard was approved during a meeting of the state Energy Task Force (ETF), chaired by chief secretary Atul Kumar Gupta.

The industry status will allow power producing companies in UP to avail all concessions extended to entrepreneurs in other sectors.

The decision was taken after some private companies, working on electricity manufacturing projects in the state, demanded the government to provide them concessions similar to entrepreneurs in other sectors.

The ETF has also approved a proposal to set up a hi-tech data centre at the cost of Rs six crore to accelerate state power development and reform programme, sources said. The centre would be set up at UPPCL's headquarters in Shakti Bhawan.