Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a major thermal power expansion project in Bihar and inaugurated a new unit in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step in India’s energy infrastructure growth.
In Bihar, Mr. Modi laid the foundation stone for Stage-II of the Nabinagar Super Thermal Power Project in Aurangabad district. This ambitious 2,400 MW project, comprising three supercritical units of 800 MW each, is expected to cost over Rs. 29,930 crore. Developed by NTPC, India’s largest power utility, this initiative aims to bolster energy security in Bihar and eastern India, ensuring the availability of affordable electricity in the region. NTPC already operates the 1,980 MW Stage-I at the same site.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister inaugurated Unit-I (660 MW) of the 1,980 MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Project in Kanpur Nagar district. This project, implemented by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL) — a joint venture between NLC India Limited (51 percent) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (49 percent) — is a critical component of India’s broader strategy to add 80 GW of thermal capacity by 2032.
With a total estimated cost of Rs. 21,780.94 crore, the Ghatampur project features three supercritical thermal units of 660 MW each. The remaining two units are scheduled for commissioning by FY 2025–26. The plant covers 998.81 hectares and has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in place to allocate 75.12 percent (1,487.28 MW) of its power to Uttar Pradesh and 24.88 percent (492.72 MW) to Assam, contingent upon the transfer of a 20 percent equity stake in NUPPL to the Assam government.
Designed with environmental sustainability in mind, the Ghatampur project incorporates Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems to reduce NOx and SOx emissions. It also features a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system to eliminate wastewater release. A 288-kilometer canal lining initiative aims to conserve 195 million liters of water daily by preventing seepage.
The plant is equipped with advanced technologies, including Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AAQMS), Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), and an efficient 765 kV GIS-based power evacuation system. It has a raw water storage capacity of approximately 46 lakh cubic meters and a coal stockyard that can hold 10.165 lakh metric tonnes of coal — sufficient for 30 days of full-capacity operation. A captive coal block with a production capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) ensures consistent fuel supply.
According to the Ministry of Coal, the project reflects India’s commitment to sustainable development, technological advancement, and energy self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment and catalyze socio-economic progress in the surrounding regions.
NTPC Limited
NTPC Limited is India’s largest integrated energy company, primarily engaged in the generation and sale of electricity. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the country’s energy security through its wide portfolio of thermal, hydro, solar, and wind power projects.
