Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy. | Photo credit: File Photo
Public sector company NLC India Ltd. expressed its readiness to invest ₹10,000 crore in solar power projects in Telangana. A formal request has been made to the state government to allot land and facilitate the implementation of the project, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy announced here on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that Telangana has also received approval for 450 MW of decentralized solar power along with sanction for 40,000 rooftop solar units, of which 20,000 will be installed in the first phase by the central government.
India is currently witnessing record levels of electricity generation, with thermal plants contributing 74% of the total 500 GW capacity. According to him, coal reserves sufficient for 22 days are available at power plants and production units.
Regarding thermal power in the state, Mr. Reddy noted that the second phase of 3×800 MW units at NTPC Ramagundam is underway. The first phase, comprising a 4,000 MW thermal power project built at a cost of ₹12,000 crore, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023.
About 80% of the power generated in the second phase will be allocated to Telangana. However, the state government agreed to purchase only one-third of the total production. A request was made for the government to procure all the power generated by NTPC. The energy giant has completed construction of 100MW of floating solar power plants and has another 56MW under development. Work is also progressing rapidly on the 121MW solar power plant at Ramagundam, he said.
The minister pointed out that Telangana’s electricity demand is growing at 9.8% annually and is projected to reach 33,773 MW by 2030. The Center remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted power supply across the country. In March, Telangana recorded a peak demand of 17,100 MW and the state government must take proactive steps to meet this growing demand, he added.
However, power distribution companies and generation units in the state are facing serious financial difficulties as the government owes ₹30,000 crore to Discoms (power distribution companies). The state government also owes ₹42,000 crore to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
Attributing this financial crisis to mismanagement by both the previous BRS regime and the current Congress government, Mr. Reddy stressed the need for justice to the Singareni workers and their families by paying these dues and implementing a clear action plan.
Published – 31 Oct 2025 21:02 IST
