Top 10 Power Companies in India
India, the world’s third-largest producer and second-largest consumer of electricity, boasts a diverse array of power companies shaping its dynamic energy landscape. With an installed power capacity of 423.35 GW as of July 2023 (report by IBEF, India Brand Equity Foundation), India's power industry has always aimed at developing conventional forms of energy to meet the growing energy needs at a reasonable cost.
India's power sector stands out as one of the most diversified globally, generating power from conventional sources such as coal, hydro, nuclear, natural gas, oil, and lignite, as well as viable non-conventional sources like wind, solar, domestic, and agricultural waste. In 2021, India ranked fourth in wind power, renewable power, and solar power installed capacity, and it is the only country among the G20 nations on track to achieve the targets under the Paris Agreement. If government plans are successful, the share of electricity generated through renewables will increase to 40% by 2030.
Power consumption in India in FY23 logged a 9.5% growth to 1,503.65 billion units (BU). The electricity demand in the country has increased rapidly and is projected to rise further in the upcoming years. To meet these increasing demands and turn the country from one with a power shortage to one with a surplus, the Ministry of Power has made significant efforts over the past few years. These efforts include establishing a single national grid, fortifying the distribution network, and achieving universal household electrification.
The Ministry of Power has identified 81 thermal units that will replace coal with renewable energy generation by 2026 to meet India’s 500 GW renewable energy target and tackle the annual issue of coal demand-supply mismatch. In the Union Budget 2023-24, the government allocated INR 7,327 Crore for the solar power sector, including grid, off-grid, and PM-KUSUM projects. Schemes such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) are likely to augment electrification across the country. The government’s initiative to increase electricity generation capacity has seen many power companies in India receive a considerable investment boost to fulfill the country’s growing power needs.
Here is a glance at India’s leading power companies:
1. NTPC Limited
Overview:
NTPC Limited, India’s largest power utility, is engaged in the generation and sale of electricity. Established in 1975, NTPC deals primarily with generating electric power through coal-based thermal power plants. The company operates 50 power stations comprising 26 coal, 7 combined cycle gas/liquid fuel, one large and one small hydro, and 15 solar PV, alongside 39 subsidiary and JV power stations. NTPC's primary business segments include power generation and other business lines such as coal mining, oil, and gas exploration, re-gasification, providing consultancy, project management, and supervision.
• Total generation capacity: 73.8 GW
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Key Subsidiaries: NTPC Electric Supply Company Limited, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited, Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited, Bhartiya Rail Bijlee Company Limited, Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited
• Website: NTPC
Key Projects:
• 1,600 MW Anpara-E plant in Sonbhadra
• Thermal power project at Chhattisgarh
• 80 MW floating solar project in Madhya Pradesh
2. Adani Power Limited (APL)
Overview:
Adani Power Limited (APL) is the world’s first company to set up a coal-based supercritical thermal power project registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol. The company generates electric power through coal-based thermal power plants and coal trading. Headquartered at the Mundra Thermal Power Plant in Gujarat, APL has subsidiaries in Tiroda (Maharashtra), Kawai (Rajasthan), Udupi (Karnataka), Raigarh & Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh), and Godda (Jharkhand). Additionally, it operates a 40 MW solar power project in Gujarat.
• Total generation capacity: 15.25 GW
• Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
• Key Subsidiaries: Adani Power Maharashtra Limited, Adani Power Rajasthan Limited, Udupi Power Corporation Limited, Adani Power Resources Limited
• Website: Adani Power
Key Projects:
• Expansion of the 1200 MW power plant at Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh
• Adani Green's 20-GW Hybrid Park in Gujarat
3. Tata Power
Overview:
Tata Power, a subsidiary of the Tata Group, is one of India’s largest integrated power companies. It deals with generation, transmission, distribution, and new-age energy solutions. The company has a diverse portfolio, generating and distributing power from thermal, hydroelectric, and renewable energy resources. Headquartered at Trombay Thermal Power Station in Mumbai, Tata Power operates thermal power stations in Mundra (Gujarat), Jojobera and Maithon (Jharkhand), Kalinganagar (Odisha), Haldia (West Bengal), and Belgaum (Karnataka). The company also operates hydro stations in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra and wind farms in Ahmednagar, Supa, Khanke, Brahmanwel, Gadag, Samana, and Visapur.
• Total generation capacity: 14.384 GW
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Key Subsidiaries: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, Tata Power Trading Company Limited, TP Ajmer Distribution Limited, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited, Tata Power Solar, Tata Power Delhi Distribution, North Eastern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha, Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha, TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited
• Website: Tata Power
Key Projects:
• 12.5 MW captive Solar Plant in Maharashtra
• 41 MW captive solar plant in Tamil Nadu
• 4.4 MW solar project for ANAND Group
4. NHPC Limited
Overview:
NHPC Limited, established in 1975, is a public sector company owned by the Government of India. Formerly known as the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, it operates under the Ministry of Power. NHPC is one of India’s largest hydropower development organizations, dedicated to planning, development, and implementation of hydroelectric projects. The company has diversified into other renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, tidal, and wind.
• Total generation capacity: 10.489 GW
• Headquarters: Faridabad, Haryana, India
• Key Subsidiaries: NHDC Limited, NHPC Renewable Energy Limited, Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd, Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Corporation Ltd, Lanco Teesta Hydro Power Pvt Ltd, Bundelkhand Saur Urja Ltd
• Website: NHPC
Key Projects:
• Green Hydrogen Mobility Station project in Ladakh
• 7,350 MW Pumped Storage Hydro Projects in Maharashtra
5. JSW Energy
Overview:
Part of JSW Group, JSW Energy is one of India’s leading private-sector power-producing companies, engaged in power generation, transmission, and trading. Known for its emphasis on environmental sustainability, the company operates several thermal power plants in Vijayanagar (Karnataka), Barmer (Rajasthan), and Ratnagiri (Maharashtra). It also has solar power plants in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh, and hydropower plants in Himachal Pradesh.
• Total generation capacity: 9.8 GW
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Key Subsidiaries: JSW Neo Energy Ltd, JSW Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd, JSW Green Energy Ltd, JSW Hydro Energy Ltd, JSW Power Trading Company Ltd
• Website: JSW Energy
Key Projects:
• 653 MW Wind project from Envision Energy
6. SJVN Limited
Overview:
Formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, SJVN Limited is a public sector power-producing company involved in hydroelectric power generation and transmission. Established in 1988 as Nathpa Jhakri Power Corporation, it is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh. SJVN operates power projects across India and has under-construction hydroelectric projects in Nepal and Bhutan.
• Total generation capacity: 2,100 MW
• Headquarters: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India
• Key Subsidiaries: SJVN Green Energy Ltd, SJVN Thermal Pvt Ltd, SJVN Arun-3 Power Development Company Pvt Ltd (SAPDC)
• Website: SJVN
Key Projects:
• 320 MW Solar Power Projects from APDCL in Assam
• 1,200 MW solar power supply pacts in Punjab
7. PSPCL
Overview:
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is a government-owned corporation responsible for the generation and distribution of electricity in Punjab. Established in 2010 and headquartered in Patiala, Punjab, PSPCL operates several thermal, solar, and hydropower plants. The company focuses on generating electricity through coal, natural gas, and other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
• Total generation capacity: 1,760 MW
• Headquarters: Patiala, Punjab, India
• Website: PSPCL
Key Projects:
• 1 GW Solar Project tender
8. Power Grid Corporation
Overview:
Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) is a public-sector transmission power company under the Ministry of Power. It is responsible for the power transmission system for the evacuation of central sector power and the planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of inter-state transmission systems and national and regional power grids. The company also manages extra-high voltage (EHV) and high voltage (HV) networks and grid management.
• Total transformation capacity: 512,601 MVA
• Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana, India
• Key Subsidiaries: Power System Operation Corporation, Powergrid Teleservices Ltd, Jaypee Powergrid, Powergrid Southern Interconnector Transmission System Ltd
• Website: POWERGRID
Key Projects:
• 20,000 INR-Crore Green Energy Corridor-II in Ladakh
9. Torrent Power
Overview:
Torrent Power is one of the leading private-sector power generation and distribution companies in India. It operates across the entire power value chain, including generation, transmission, and distribution. The company has a diverse portfolio, generating power from thermal, renewable, and gas-based power plants. Torrent Power serves a vast customer base in cities like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Dahej SEZ, and Bhiwandi.
• Total generation capacity: 3.6 GW
• Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
• Website: Torrent Power
Key Projects:
• 300 MW wind power project in Gujarat
• 100 MW solar power project in Rajasthan
10. Reliance Power
Overview:
Reliance Power, a part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, is one of India's largest private sector power generation and coal resources companies. It develops, constructs, and operates power projects in the domestic and international markets. The company's diversified portfolio includes coal, gas, hydro, wind, and solar-based power projects.
• Total generation capacity: 5.9 GW
• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Website: Reliance Power
Key Projects:
• 3,960 MW coal-based power project in Sasan, Madhya Pradesh
• 40 MW solar power project in Rajasthan
Conclusion
India’s power sector is rapidly evolving, with numerous companies making significant strides in generating and distributing electricity. These leading power companies are pivotal in meeting the country’s growing energy demands, ensuring sustainability, and contributing to the global effort of reducing carbon emissions. Their efforts in expanding renewable energy capacity and modernizing the power infrastructure are essential in turning India into a power surplus nation.
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