Vedanta’s Meenakshi Energy operationalises 1,000 MW thermal plant

Meenakshi Energy Limited (MEL), a subsidiary of Vedanta, has announced the full operationalisation of its 1,000 MW thermal power project in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The commissioning was completed within two years of Vedanta’s acquisition of the asset through the insolvency process.

The plant comprises two 350 MW units and two 150 MW units. The 150 MW units were stabilised earlier this year, followed by the commissioning of the 350 MW units in August 2025. According to the company, the plant will supply power to industrial clusters in the region and add baseload capacity to the national grid.

Rajinder Singh Ahuja, CEO–Power, Vedanta, said the restart underscores the company’s commitment to meeting India’s energy demand and strengthening its position as a power producer.

The Meenakshi project was originally developed as a 300 MW coal-based facility by Meenakshi Energy, with its first two 150 MW units commissioned in 2012 and 2013. Expansion plans for an additional 700 MW were taken up in partnership with French utility GDF Suez (later Engie), which acquired a majority stake in 2013. Progress on the expansion slowed due to financial difficulties, and the plant eventually entered insolvency proceedings in 2019.

Vedanta completed the acquisition of Meenakshi Energy for Rs 1,440 crore through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) process, finalised in 2023.  

With all four units now operational, Vedanta has brought the full 1,000 MW capacity online, positioning the plant as a key supplier of industrial and merchant power in southern India.