NLC India declares commercial operation of Unit-2 (660 MW) at NUPPL’s Ghatampur Power Project

New Delhi: Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL), a joint venture between NLC India Limited (51%) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (49%), has announced the commencement of commercial operations of Unit-2 (660 MW) of its 1,980 MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Project. The Commercial Operation Declaration (COD) is effective from 00:00 hrs on December 9, 2025 .

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Unit-2 achieved a series of commissioning milestones at an accelerated pace. The unit was synchronized with the 765 kV grid on July 20, 2025, in a single attempt after completing the steam-blowing milestone. The 72-hour full-load trial run was also completed in the first attempt, within 19 days of first coal firing—setting a benchmark in the thermal power sector for execution speed and operational readiness.

With Unit-2 coming online, NUPPL now has 1,320 MW (Unit-1 and Unit-2) under commercial operation, significantly strengthening the power supply to Uttar Pradesh and Assam. The Union Minister for Coal Kishan Reddy, lauded the achievement on social media, calling it a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and describing the project as a strategic asset for national energy security and regional development .

Speaking at Ghatampur, NLC India CMD and NUPPL Chairman Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, said the milestone reflects the “focused and dedicated efforts” of NUPPL, NLCIL, UPRVUNL, and all contracting partners, supported by the Ministry of Coal and the Uttar Pradesh government. Senior officials, including NLCIL Director (Power) M. Venkatachalam and NUPPL CEO Durai Kumar S, were present on the occasion .

Unit-1 of the project began commercial operations on December 12, 2024, and has since generated 4,449.84 MUs, contributing revenue of Rs 2,638.69 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Unit-1 to the nation earlier this year, on May 30, 2025, via virtual mode .

With Unit-3 scheduled for commissioning in FY 2025-26, the Ghatampur project is poised to reach its full capacity of 1,980 MW. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate 14,743 MUs annually, powering nearly 12 million households, and achieve annual revenues of over Rs 8,453 crore. Currently, 93.11 percent of the plant’s power is allocated to Uttar Pradesh, with the remainder supplied to other states, strengthening inter-state energy equity.

The plant incorporates advanced clean-coal technologies, including supercritical boilers, Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD), Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), and Zero Liquid Discharge systems, aligning the project with stringent environmental norms. The project has also generated substantial socio-economic benefits, employing up to 8,500 workers during peak construction and currently engaging over 4,000 contract workers. Employment is expected to rise to around 25,000 direct and indirect jobs once all units are operational .

NUPPL is also developing the Pachwara South Opencast Project in Jharkhand, which will serve as the plant’s dedicated coal source, with production expected to begin in FY 2025-26 .

With the commissioning of Unit-2, the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project moves a step closer to full completion, reinforcing NLC India’s commitment to delivering reliable and sustainable power to the nation.

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