Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday, 13 June 2026 congratulated NLC India Limited and its joint venture arm Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL) on the declaration of the Commercial Operation Date (COD) for Unit-3 of the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project, bringing the 1,980 MW plant in Kanpur Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh to full operational status.

Context

In his post, the minister described the development as 'a significant milestone in strengthening India's power infrastructure,' extending 'heartiest congratulations' to NLC India Limited, NUPPL, and all stakeholders. The declaration of COD for Unit-3 means all three units of the 3x660 MW supercritical coal-fired project are now commercially operational, completing the plant's full installed capacity of 1,980 MW.

Reddy linked the achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of enhancing energy security, expanding infrastructure, and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), stating the project 'will play a vital role in meeting the nation's growing energy needs and powering India's development journey.'

Policy Backdrop

The Ghatampur Thermal Power Project was conceived as a joint venture between NLC India Limited — a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal — and Uttar Pradesh state utilities, receiving investment approval around 2012 to augment base-load power capacity in the state. The project marked a strategic diversification for NLC India, which was mandated around 2015-16 to expand beyond its traditional lignite-mining and generation base in Tamil Nadu into coal-based thermal generation in demand-heavy northern states.

The current administration has consistently framed such capacity additions within the Aatmanirbhar Bharat narrative, emphasising domestic coal production and reduced dependence on energy imports. The Ministry of Coal oversees NLC India and its subsidiaries, making Kishan Reddy the nodal minister for the project's oversight at the central level.

Stakeholders and Impact

Uttar Pradesh's power distribution companies (discoms) are the primary off-takers for electricity generated at Ghatampur, a state that has historically faced significant peak-power shortages. Full operationalisation of the 1,980 MW plant is expected to provide a stable base-load supply to the northern regional grid, benefiting millions of consumers across the state.

The project also supports the coal mining workforce and ancillary supply chains linked to domestic coal linkages. NLC India's geographic diversification into Uttar Pradesh reinforces the broader pattern of central PSUs partnering with state entities to execute large thermal capacity additions in coal-dependent demand centres.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the adequacy of coal linkage and power evacuation infrastructure supporting the fully operational plant, as well as the ramp-up of generation to meet contracted capacity obligations. Parliamentary scrutiny on project timelines and costs is also likely during upcoming sessions. The completion of Ghatampur is expected to inform the government's broader pipeline for similar joint-venture thermal projects as India balances growing electricity demand with its energy transition commitments.