Hopes Rise for 800 MW Thermal Power Plant Proposed at Ramagundam

Karimnagar: Telangana government's recent initiatives have raised hopes among residents of Ramagundam over the proposed establishment of an 800 MW thermal power plant at the site of the closed Ramagundam B Thermal Power Station.

AP Energy secretary Naveen Mittal, along with Telangana Power Generation Corporation Limited (TGGenco) chairman and managing director Harish, recently visited the closed power station, inspected the facilities, and interacted with Genco engineers.

The state government has proposed setting up a new thermal power plant in place of the closed unit to enhance power generation and create employment opportunities for local youth. Though the state Cabinet has approved the project, work is yet to commence.

The 62.5 MW Ramagundam B. Thermal Power Station, commissioned in October 1971, had been shut down two years ago following directions from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) as part of the nationwide policy to phase out smaller and more polluting thermal power units.

Since then, local residents have been demanding the expansion of the facility. Before the assembly elections, Ramagundam MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur had promised to upgrade the unit to an 800 MW plant. After his election, he submitted representations to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka seeking approval for the project.

Responding to the proposal, the state government decided to establish an 800 MW thermal power station at an estimated cost of ₹10,893 crore. During his visit to the plant in August 2024, the Deputy CM assured local residents that the project would be taken up.

The proposed site has around 500 acres of land, apart from access to coal, water, and other infrastructure required for the project.

The government initially considered entrusting the project to the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). But it later decided to develop it as a joint venture between SCCL and TGGenco.

Officials are now exploring the possibility of involving the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in executing the project.

Under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 4,000 MW (5x800 MW) of supercritical thermal power capacity has been sanctioned to Telangana. NTPC is developing these units at Ramagundam. It has already commissioned 1,600 MW. The company recently entered into a power purchase agreement with the state government for another 800 MW.

According to sources, the government is holding discussions with NTPC to establish the proposed 800 MW plant at the site of the closed Ramagundam B. Thermal Power Station. NTPC officials have visited the facility. The Energy secretary is learnt to have held discussions with them during his visit.