The Impressive TimesRaipur: Energy Department Secretary Dr. Rohit Yadav today shared his views on the Energy Department’s achievements and future plans with journalists at the Chhattisgarh Samvad auditorium in Naya Raipur. He stated that significant progress has been made in the state’s energy production, transmission, and distribution sectors, and that a comprehensive action plan is being rapidly developed for the coming years.
Dr. Yadav informed that the state’s total installed power capacity, including Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company, NTPC, and private producers, is currently 30,671.7 MW. This includes 28,824 MW of thermal power, 220 MW of hydropower, and 2,047 MW of capacity from solar and biomass sources. In the thermal power sector, Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company has a capacity of 2,840 MW, NTPC and privately owned power plants have a capacity of 20,299 MW, and captive power plants have a capacity of 5,266 MW.
Dr. Yadav stated that the Government of India is focused on reducing carbon emissions by reducing dependence on thermal power. Under the Net Zero Carbon target, the goal is to develop 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, so that 50% of the country’s energy needs can be met from renewable sources. In this direction, hydropower and pumped storage projects play a crucial role, helping to maintain grid balance. The state government has implemented the Policy 2023 to promote pumped storage-based hydropower projects. Under this policy, Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company has identified six sites with a capacity of 8,300 MW, of which feasibility reports for five have been prepared and DPRs are under development. Work is also underway on projects totaling approximately 5,000 MW in the private sector.
Energy Secretary Dr. Yadav stated that under the renewable energy expansion initiative, a joint venture between NTPC Green Energy Limited and the State Generation Company is developing projects totaling approximately 2,000 MW. These include a 6 MW floating solar plant in the reservoir of the Atal Bihari Thermal Power Station, a 32 MW solar plant on the defunct Rakhad Dam in Korba East, and a 500 MW battery energy storage system. The Energy Secretary also stated that in order to make the state the energy capital of the country, MoUs have been signed with various institutions for new projects totaling 32,100 MW. These projects include 12,100 MW thermal power, 4,200 MW nuclear, 2,500 MW floating solar, and 13,300 MW pumped storage capacity. These projects have paved the way for investments totaling approximately ₹3.4 lakh crore, with several major institutions participating.
Dr. Yadav stated that Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company is working on the installation of two 660 MW supercritical units in Korba West and an 800 MW unit in Madwa. Referring to achievements in the transmission sector, Dr. Yadav stated that the number of substations has increased from 132 to 137 between December 2023 and January 2026. The total capacity of transformers has increased significantly, and old conductors in 132 kV lines are being replaced with high-capacity HTLS conductors. Furthermore, the installation of 5,200 km of optical fiber ground wire has been completed, connecting 131 substations to the digital communication network.
Highlighting progress in the distribution sector, the Energy Secretary stated that the number of consumers in the state has exceeded 6.5 million. Thousands of kilometers of new lines, substations, and transformers have been installed in the past two years. Providing information on public welfare schemes, he stated that millions of families are benefiting from schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme, PM Kusum, Dr. Khubchand Baghel Kisan Vidyut Sahayata Yojana, and free electricity for BPL consumers. Under the Niyyad Nella Nar scheme, electricity has been provided to hundreds of villages in Naxal-affected areas.
Referring to the achievements of CREDA, the Energy Secretary stated that 26,794 solar irrigation pumps, 7,833 solar drinking water pumps, and 1,709 solar high masts have been installed in the last two years. Work is also underway on a plan to expand off-grid solar plants and rooftop solar plants in the coming years. Dr. Yadav stated that continuous efforts are being made to make Chhattisgarh a self-reliant and leading state in the energy sector through a balanced energy mix, technological modernization, and renewable energy expansion. He also answered questions from journalists in detail and shared the department’s action plan for the next three years. During this, CSPDCL MD Bhim Singh Kanwar, CSPGCL MD SK Katiyar, CSPTCL MD Rajesh Kumar Shukla and senior departmental officers were present.
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