Vedanta Power Reaffirms India Energy Security Commitment on Independence Day
As India celebrated its 80th Independence Day, Vedanta Power Limited, India’s fifth-largest private thermal power producer, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the nation’s energy security by delivering reliable power, securing domestic fuel supplies and investing in long-term capacity expansion.
With a total power generation capacity of 4.78 GW, including 4.18 GW operational capacity and 0.6 GW under commissioning, Vedanta Power has established a significant presence across Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Around 74% of the company’s capacity is backed by long- and medium-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), while approximately 85% of its operational capacity has domestic coal linkages, providing greater fuel security and stability of operations. Fuel security remains a key pillar of Vedanta Power’s approach to reliable generation.
Approximately 85% of its operational portfolio is backed by long-term domestic coal linkages through Coal India subsidiaries, including Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL). This includes 100% linkage coal from SECL and NCL for the Vedanta Power Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant in Punjab and 100% linkage coal from MCL for the Vedanta Power Jharsuguda Thermal Plant in Odisha.
Vedanta Power is also strengthening fuel flexibility across its portfolio. At Meenakshi Energy Limited in Andhra Pradesh, the company is transitioning the plant from its original imported-coal-based fuel mix towards domestic coal. This transition is aimed at enhancing fuel security and reducing exposure to global fuel market volatility.
Kids and families from communities at the I Day activities.
Commenting on the occasion, Rajinder Singh Ahuja, Whole-Time Director and CEO, Vedanta Power Limited, said, “Energy security is fundamental to the country’s economic independence and its aspirations for a developed India. At Vedanta Power, we are committed to playing our part by ensuring reliable and secure power, strengthening domestic fuel linkages and expanding our generation capacity. As India’s power requirements continue to grow, we believe dependable thermal power will remain an important part of the energy mix, alongside emerging clean energy technologies. Our focus is to build a resilient and diversified power portfolio that can support India’s growth ambitions for decades to come and contribute towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
K Binu Raphael, Acting CEO, Meenakshi Energy Limited, said “Independence is also about building greater resilience and reducing dependence on external resources. At Meenakshi Energy Limited , our transition towards greater use of domestic coal reflects this larger national objective. By progressively increasing domestic coal utilisation, we are strengthening fuel security and building a more resilient power generation operations ”
Looking ahead, Vedanta Power aims to expand its capacity to 12 GW by FY33, with the ambition of becoming one of India’s top three private thermal power producers. While thermal power will continue to play an important role in meeting India’s growing baseload and round-the-clock power requirements, the company is also evaluating opportunities across nuclear, hydro and battery storage systems as part of its long-term diversification strategy. The company believes that India’s energy transition will require a balanced approach that combines reliable conventional generation with newer clean and flexible energy sources. Nuclear power, in particular, has the potential to provide reliable 24×7 electricity while supporting the country’s transition towards a lower-carbon energy system.
As India progresses towards a more energy-intensive economy, Vedanta Power remains focused on strengthening the foundations of energy security through reliable generation, domestic fuel security and long-term investments in the country’s power infrastructure.
Source: www.deccanchronicle.com