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The Power Ministry has directed 112 captive thermal power plants with capacity of 50 MW or more to operate at full capacity from October 1 to December 31 to meet rising power demand. By Vivek Dubey September 26, 2026, 4:36:25 PM IST (Published) 2 Min Read The Ministry of Power has directed 112 captive coal-fired power plants with an installed capacity of 50 MW or more to operate at full capacity from October 1 to December 31. The move is aimed at meeting an expected rise in electricity demand in the coming months and supporting grid stability.
The September 25 order has been issued under Section 11 of the Electricity Act. The provision allows the government, under extraordinary circumstances, to direct power generators to operate their plants according to its instructions. 112 plants covered The order covers captive power plants belonging to companies including Bharat Aluminium, Hindalco Industries, Hindustan Zinc, Indian Oil, JSW Steel, Nayara Energy, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement and Vedanta. These plants mainly supply electricity to industrial facilities such as aluminium smelters, steel manufacturers, cement factories and oil refineries.
The ministry has also directed the generators to sell any surplus electricity through power exchanges. Weekly reports ordered The power ministry has asked the plants to maintain adequate coal stocks and submit weekly reports to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The reports will have to include electricity generation, captive consumption, power sales, available capacity and coal stocks.
The directive comes as nearly 40% of India's coal-fired power plants are operating with critically low fuel stocks amid higher electricity demand. Hotter-than-usual weather associated with the El Niño climate pattern has contributed to the rise in power consumption. Mundra plant extended Separately, the ministry has extended an earlier emergency order requiring Tata Power's imported coal-fired plant in Mundra, Gujarat, to operate at full capacity until December 31, citing the power demand situation.
Together, the measures require more than 100 captive coal-fired plants to maximise generation through the end of the year, while directing them to make surplus power available through exchanges and provide regular information on generation and fuel stocks. Home Energy News India directs 112 captive coal plants to operate at full capacity amid rising electricity demand
Source: CNBC TV18
