Meja Urja Nigam Ltd (MUNL), a joint venture split equally between India’s leading power generator NTPC Ltd and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL), is gearing up to build 5.6 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power units in the following years. This initiative is in response to the escalating energy needs of Uttar Pradesh.
This ambitious plan highlights the revival of coal-based power. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, energy consumption in Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state, has seen a sharp increase, even surpassing industrial states with traditionally high demand such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Notably, in August and September, when national peak power demand reached a record 240 GW, Uttar Pradesh topped the list with demand ranging between 25-28 GW.
MUNL currently operates a 1.32 GW thermal power project at Meja, UP. The utility aims to increase this with an additional three units, totaling up to 2.4 GW, at the same site. UP cabinet has already given green light for 1.6 GW Obra D power project which MUNL will take up. Another project of similar capacity at Anpara E is also in the pipeline.
Sunil Kumar, CEO, MUNL, speaking to Business Standard, expressed that the planned capacity of 5.6 GW symbolizes the state government’s faith in MUNL’s capabilities and the growing demand for cost-effective power. He emphasized that this will position MUNL as the flagship joint venture of NTPC.
Kumar highlighted the state’s rising power requirements, attributing it to increased power connections and commercial growth. “Much of this capacity addition has been allocated to us,” noted Kumar.
These plans by MUNL and the UP state government reflect the growing dependence on coal-fired electricity. As renewable energy growth lags behind electricity demand, countries are turning to coal to meet future needs. Kumar pointed out that MUNL’s coal is supplied by three subsidiaries of Coal India Ltd, which ensures that UP gets power at reasonable prices.
Highlighting MUNL’s innovative approach, Kumar noted that the company has streamlined its project construction process. “Instead of juggling 40 different contracts, we are now awarding a combined engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tender, attracting the attention of international firms,” he added.
The thermal EPC sector, previously dominated by BHEL, has welcomed international companies such as GE, Toshiba and Hitachi. This change is due to growing electricity needs and increased reliance on coal-based energy.
Kumar further shared the inclusion of cutting-edge technologies such as supercritical power units and flue gas desulfurization (FGD). These technologies not only improve operational efficiency but also control emissions.
“Compared to subcritical units, which have around 35 percent efficiency, supercritical units boast over 40 percent efficiency,” Kumar elaborated.
Supercritical units are more fuel and water efficient, produce more electricity and have reduced emissions compared to their subcritical counterparts. FGD technology, retrofitted to older units or built into new ones, removes sulfur from the thermal unit’s emissions.
MUNL supplies electricity primarily to Uttar Pradesh, with the remaining supplies going to states like Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.