NUPPL Ghatampur Unit-3 plant begins commercial operations
Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL) team on the successful commencement of Commercial Operation Declaration (COD) of Unit 3 (660 MW) of Ghatampur Thermal Power Project. Photo: Special arrangement
Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL), a joint venture between NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited has commenced Commercial Operation Declaration (COD) of Unit 3 (660 MW) of the 1980 MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Project.
According to NLCIL, Unit 3 was successfully synchronized with the grid on April 3, 2026, marking a major milestone towards the commissioning of the last unit of the project. The first burning of coal was achieved on April 22. Subsequently, Unit 3 reached full operation on May 6.
The 72-hour trial operation of Unit 3 at full load was successfully completed on June 13 in a smooth and uninterrupted manner, leading to the declaration of commercial operation with effect from June 13 and marking the successful completion of NLCIL’s first supercritical thermal power project.
With the COD declaration of Unit 3, the entire 1980 MW (3×660 MW) Ghatampur Thermal Power Project is now in commercial operation, significantly enhancing reliable and sustainable power supply to Uttar Pradesh and contributing to the country’s growing energy requirements.
Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director, NLCIL, said, “The successful commissioning of all three units of the GTPP represents a significant milestone and exemplifies the collective commitment, perseverance and teamwork of all stakeholders in advancing the country’s energy security through the creation of reliable power generation infrastructure.
The first and second units of Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant (GTPP) were successfully commissioned and started their commercial operations on 12 December 2024 and 9 December 2025 respectively.
With the commercial operation of Unit 3, GTPP is now supplying its full capacity of 1980 MW to the state and national grid. This significant increase in capacity will significantly support the growing electricity demand in the country and boost the economy, especially of Uttar Pradesh.
Further, once all three units are commissioned, the thermal station is expected to generate 14,743 MU per year, which will meet the energy requirements of approximately 12 million average Indian households per year. As a result, the project will also witness a significant increase in annual revenue to ₹ 8,453 crore per annum.
Currently, as per the power allocation by the Union Ministry of Power, 93.11% of the power generated from this project is allocated to Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, the balance from this project is allocated to different states, thereby promoting interstate energy equality.
Underscoring NUPPL’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the project includes supercritical boilers and turbine-generator sets, flue gas desulphurization (FGD) technology, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology and zero liquid discharge systems that meet strict environmental standards.
With all three units operational, the project is expected to generate around 25,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, creating significant economic benefits for the region and Uttar Pradesh.
NUPPL is also progressing steadily with the development of the Pachwara South Open Cast Project (PSOCP) in Dumka district, Jharkhand, which will provide a sustainable source of fuel to the power plant. Mining commenced as early as December 19, 2025, with coal exposure achieved on March 29, 2026. Commercial coal production from the mine is expected to begin gradually from fiscal years 2026-2027, ensuring the long-term fuel security of the project.
Published – June 14, 2026 12:19 PM IST