NTPC's North Karanpura Thermal Power Project Achieves Milestone in Electricity Generation
The North Karanpura thermal power project, operated by NTPC in Tandwa, has marked a significant achievement in the current financial year by generating 10,195.89 million units (MU) of electricity. Project head A K Tripathi announced this impressive milestone on Friday, highlighting the plant's operational success and financial performance.
Financial Performance and Operational Status
Alongside the substantial power generation, the plant has reported a profit of Rs 686 crore so far this fiscal year. Tripathi emphasized that uninterrupted power generation is being maintained from all three units of the facility. The commercial operations timeline reveals: Unit I commenced on March 1, 2023; Unit II followed on March 20, 2024; and Unit III became operational on June 15, 2025.
Regarding project expenditure, Tripathi noted that against the approved project cost of Rs 21,495 crore, the incurred expenditure to date stands at Rs 17,593 crore. This indicates efficient budget management while achieving substantial power output.
Power Distribution Across States
The electricity generated from the North Karanpura project is being transmitted to various states through two key transmission lines: North Karanpura–Chandwa and North Karanpura–Gaya. According to the power allocation, Bihar receives the highest share at 890.46 MW, followed by Jharkhand (532.22 MW), Odisha (432.23 MW), West Bengal (124.14 MW), and Sikkim (0.73 MW). This distribution supports energy needs across eastern and northeastern India.
Infrastructure Development and Sustainability Initiatives
Currently, coal supply to the plant is managed through road transport. However, a significant infrastructure upgrade is underway with the construction of a 7.5 km-long pipe conveyor from NTPC's Magadh project. Tripathi confirmed that this project is in its final stages and, once completed, will become NTPC's longest coal pipe conveyor in the country, enhancing operational efficiency.
To address water availability concerns, the project has developed three lagoons with combined storage capacity sufficient for nearly 10 months. These lagoons are designed to store rainwater during the monsoon season, ensuring sustainable water management for plant operations.
Corporate Social Responsibility Contributions
Highlighting NTPC's commitment to community development, Tripathi shared that between 2016–17 and 2024–25, the company spent over Rs 67 crore on corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These funds have supported various sectors including:
- Village infrastructure development
- Drinking water projects
- Healthcare facilities
- Sports and cultural activities
- Sanitation improvements
- Education programs
- Skill development initiatives
The North Karanpura thermal power project continues to demonstrate how large-scale energy infrastructure can combine operational excellence with community engagement and environmental sustainability.
