India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has cleared expansion plans of coal-fired power plants for Adani Power Ltd, NLC India, and GMR Group across Odisha and Chhattisgarh. These approvals, totaling 2,470 MW in capacity, come amid India’s goal to meet surging energy demands by adding 90 GW of thermal capacity by 2032. However, proposals from NTPC Ltd, JSW Energy, and Jindal Power Ltd were not approved due to incomplete documentation.
India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has approved the expansion of three major coal-fired power plants operated by Adani Power Ltd, NLC India, and GMR Group, as per recommendations by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for thermal power projects.
These projects, with a combined additional capacity of 2,470 megawatts (MW), align with India’s plan to boost its coal-based power output by 90 GW over the next six years. The nation is targeting a total power generation capacity of 900 GW by 2032, up from the current 476 GW, to meet its projected peak demand of 458 GW.
In Chhattisgarh, Adani Power Ltd received approval to expand the Lanco Amarkantak Power Plant in Korba by 1,320 MW (660 MW × 2). The plant was acquired by the group in September 2024 and forms part of Adani’s strategy to increase its thermal generation capacity from 17.5 GW to 30.67 GW by FY32.
In Odisha, NLC India got clearance for the 800 MW Phase-II expansion of its Talabira Thermal Power Project. With this addition, the plant’s total capacity will rise to 3,200 MW. BHEL is executing Phase-I of this ultra-supercritical project with a planned 2,400 MW capacity.
Meanwhile, GMR Group received a green nod to add another 350 MW unit to its 1,050 MW coal-based power plant in Odisha, bringing the facility’s capacity to 1,400 MW.
Projects Returned Due to Incomplete Documentation
The EAC, during its meeting on June 20, returned three expansion proposals from NTPC Ltd, Jindal Power Ltd, and JSW Energy, citing incomplete or inadequate information.
NTPC’s 800 MW Stage-II proposal for the Darlipali Super Thermal Power Project in Odisha was sent back with directions to revise the terms of reference (ToR) application. Similarly, JSW Energy’s bid to double capacity at its Champa plant in Chhattisgarh and Jindal Power’s environmental amendment proposal for its 2,400 MW plant in Raigarh were deferred.
An official from NTPC noted, “We will rework the documents and submit again which will take a couple of weeks.”
India’s Thermal Push in FY26
In FY25, India added just 4.53 GW of new coal capacity against a 15.4 GW target. The government now aims to add 12.86 GW of thermal power capacity in FY26 to address the demand-supply gap and avoid energy shortages.
With the latest approvals, key players such as Adani Power, NLC India, and GMR Group are set to lead the charge in India’s thermal power resurgence—especially in states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh, where coal reserves and industrial demand make them vital power hubs.
