The historic Commercial Operation Date (COD) of Unit-3 of the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project (GTPP) in Kanpur Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, has been successfully declared by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL), a joint venture between NLC India Limited (51%) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (49%). The first 1,980 MW supercritical thermal power project by NLC India Limited, which consisted of three 660 MW units, was declared COD for Unit-3 on June 13, 2026, marking its successful completion. This success demonstrates India’s resolve to provide consistent access to electricity for its citizens, companies, and institutions and is a huge boon to the country’s power generating infrastructure.
After synchronisation with the national power system took place on April 3, 2026, Unit-3 was able to fire coal successfully on April 22, and by May 6, it was operating at full load. The project was able to reach its maximum generation capacity after the unit was deemed commercially operational after completing the statutory 72-hour continuous full-load trial run.
Now that all three units are up and running, the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project can cover the power needs of almost 12 million average Indian families with an annual generation capacity of about 14,743 million units (MUs) of electricity. Both the regional and national economies are expected to benefit greatly from the project, as it is anticipated to bring in approximately ₹8,453 crore in revenue every year.
On December 12, 2024, and on December 9, 2025, the first two units of the project were put into commercial operation, respectively. The project’s impressive operational performance was demonstrated by Units 1 and 2, which produced 6,107 million units of electricity and generated almost ₹4,756 crore in revenue by May 31, 2026.
Minister of Coal in the Union G. Kishan Reddy extended congratulations to NUPPL and all parties involved on the Unit-3 commissioning, noting that the project is in line with the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, increasing infrastructure development, and bolstering India’s energy security, all of which are initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The chairman and managing director of NLC India Limited, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, lauded the project teams for their hard work and said that the nation’s strong energy infrastructure was the result of outstanding collaboration, devotion, and teamwork.
Supercritical boiler technology, Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems, Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, and Zero Liquid Discharge facilities are all aspects of the project’s advanced environmental safeguards that have been meticulously designed to meet strict environmental standards without sacrificing operational efficiency.
The project has become a key engine of economic and social development in addition to power generating. It directly employed about 8,500 people during peak construction, and there are currently more than 4,000 contract workers working at the site. When completed, the project will bolster economic growth in Uttar Pradesh and the neighbouring regions by creating around 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.
In order to provide fuel security and reliable operations for the power plant, commercial coal production is anticipated to begin in phases throughout FY 2026-27.
A watershed moment for NLC India Limited and NUPPL has been achieved with the successful commissioning of Unit-3 of the Ghatampur Thermal Power Project. Now that all 1,980 MW of the project’s capacity is operating, it improves the power infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, generates a lot of jobs, and helps the economy flourish. Supporting India’s long-term energy security and development aspirations, GTPP is poised to be one of the country’s largest thermal power developments.
Image: PSU Connect
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