CIL's Big Power Bet: ₹16,500 Crore Jharkhand Project with DVC

Coal India Limited (CIL) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a 2×800 MW ultra supercritical coal-fired power plant in Jharkhand. The agreement, signed on April 21, 2025, in Kolkata, represents a strategic move for Coal India as it diversifies into thermal power generation, with an estimated investment of ₹16,500 crore.

The new plant will be a brownfield expansion of the existing Chandrapura Thermal Power Station (CTPS), which currently operates with a capacity of 2×250 MW. As part of the partnership, CIL and DVC will establish a joint venture company with equal (50:50) equity participation.

Designed to use ultra supercritical technology, the project aims to deliver higher efficiency and lower emissions than traditional coal-based plants. Fuel for the plant will be sourced from nearby coalfields operated by CIL subsidiaries Bharat Coking Coal Limited and Central Coalfields Limited.

This initiative is aligned with broader efforts to improve power availability, promote industrial development, and strengthen energy security in eastern India. By leveraging cleaner and more efficient technology, the project is poised to significantly contribute to the region’s energy infrastructure and meet the rising demand for reliable power.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.