India commissions 2,260 MW thermal capacity in Q1 FY27: CEA

India commissioned three thermal power units with a combined capacity of 2,260 MW during April-June 2026, while 65 units aggregating 47,545 MW remained under construction as of June 30, 2026, according to the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) 195th Quarterly Review of Under Construction Thermal Power Projects.

The additions during Q1 FY27 comprised the 800 MW Unit-2 of Patratu Super Thermal Power Project (STPP), commissioned by Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL) on May 11, 2026; the 800 MW Unit-3 of Yadadri Thermal Power Station (TPS), commissioned by Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Limited (TSGENCO) on May 13; and the 660 MW Unit-3 of Ghatampur Thermal Power Project (TPP), commissioned by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL) on June 8.

Construction pipeline

As of June 30, 2026, 36 thermal projects comprising 65 units and 47,545 MW were under construction across the country. The central sector accounted for 13 projects comprising 25 units and 19,300 MW, while the state sector had 10 projects with 14 units totalling 9,800 MW. The private sector accounted for 13 projects comprising 26 units and 18,445 MW.

Of the total, 32 projects comprising 58 units and 44,020 MW are based on supercritical technology. Within this pipeline, 24 projects comprising 44 units and 34,500 MW use Ultra Super-Critical (USC) technology, accounting for about 78% of the supercritical capacity currently under construction.

The USC pipeline includes 12 central sector projects comprising 23 units and 17,980 MW, four state sector projects comprising four units and 2,920 MW, and eight private sector projects comprising 17 units and 13,600 MW.

As of June 30, 2026, India had commissioned 120 supercritical and USC thermal units with combined capacity of 83,710 MW. This included 107 supercritical units totalling 74,570 MW and 13 USC units aggregating 9,140 MW. Patratu Unit-2 and Yadadri Unit-3, commissioned during the quarter, are both USC units.

FY27 target

CEA has identified 10 thermal units aggregating 7,300 MW for commissioning during FY 2026-27. The central sector accounts for four units totalling 2,920 MW, the state sector five units aggregating 3,580 MW and the private sector one 800 MW unit.

Among the projects scheduled during the fiscal year, Buxar TPP Unit-2 of 660 MW was expected in July 2026, while the 800 MW Yadadri TPS Unit-5 is expected in October 2026. The two 660 MW units of Udangudi STPP are expected in July and December 2026, respectively, while the 800 MW Patratu STPP Unit-3 is targeted for March 2027.

Several of these projects have moved beyond earlier commissioning schedules. Buxar Unit-2 and Patratu Unit-3, previously anticipated in FY26, have shifted to FY27. Yadadri Unit-5, earlier expected in June 2026, has also slipped, while the two 660 MW Udangudi units have moved from FY26 to FY27. The 660 MW Ennore SEZ unit has moved from FY27 to FY 2027-28.

Stressed projects

Nine stressed thermal units with combined capacity of 4,845 MW remain under construction in the private sector. These comprise two supercritical units aggregating 1,320 MW and seven sub-critical units totalling 3,525 MW across five projects.

Mahan STPP Stage-II in Madhya Pradesh is among the projects in this category, with its 800 MW Unit-3 targeted for commissioning in January 2027.

The private sector added 1,650 MW during FY 2025-26 through JSW Energy Utkal Limited’s 350 MW capacity commissioned on April 1, 2025; Meenakshi Energy Ltd.’s 350 MW Unit-3 at Thamminapatanam TPP on July 5 and 350 MW Unit-4 on August 21; and Vedanta Ltd.’s 600 MW Chhattisgarh TPP of Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd. on July 19.

FY26 additions

Total thermal capacity addition during FY 2025-26 reached 9,470 MW, equivalent to 73.64% of the 12,860 MW target.

The central sector commissioned six units aggregating 4,100 MW. These were the 660 MW North Karanpura STPP Unit-3 on April 14, 2025; 660 MW Barh STPP Stage-I Unit-3 on June 5; 660 MW Khurja Super Critical Thermal Power Project Unit-2 on September 22; 800 MW Patratu STPP Unit-1 on October 16; 660 MW Buxar TPP Unit-1 on November 5; and 660 MW Ghatampur TPP Unit-2 on November 23.

State sector additions totalled 3,720 MW across five units. These comprised the 660 MW Obra-C STPP Unit-2 commissioned on June 16, 2025; 800 MW Yadadri TPS Unit-1 on July 12; 800 MW Yadadri TPS Unit-4 on January 8, 2026; 800 MW North Chennai TPP Stage-III Unit-1 on January 24; and 660 MW Sagardighi TPP Stage-III Unit-5 on March 15.

The featured photograph is for representation only.