The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)'s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has granted environmental clearances for the expansion of coal-fired thermal power plants by major players: Adani Power, NLC India, and GMR Power. 

Adani Power has received permission to expand its Lanco Amarkantak plant in Korba, Chhattisgarh. This expansion will involve setting up two units of 660 MW each. Adani Power, which acquired the plant in September 2023, aims to significantly increase its total thermal capacity to 30.67 GW by FY32.

NLC India's proposal for Phase-II expansion of its Talabira Thermal Power Project in Odisha has also been cleared. This new phase will add 800 MW to the plant's capacity.

GMR Group has secured approval to add a 350 MW unit to its imported coal-based plant in Odisha. This expansion will increase the plant's current capacity from 1,050 MW to 1,400 MW. Being an imported coal-based plant located near the coast, it relies on global fuel supply chains.

These approvals collectively add a substantial 2,470 megawatts (MW) to the nation's thermal power capacity. The decisions were made during the EAC's meeting on June 20, 2025.

The clearances come as India grapples with a surging electricity requirement, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and a growing population. 

The country aims to significantly boost its overall generation capacity to 900 GW by 2032, up from the current 476 GW, with an expected peak power demand reaching 458 GW by the same year.