In a recent interview with Renewable Watch, S. Harish, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Telangana Power Generation Corporation Limited (TGGENCO), outlined the corporation’s key operational developments, project progress and strategic future road map. He highlighted TGGENCO’s continued focus on augmenting thermal capacity, advancing renewable energy integration, enhancing operational efficiency and adopting emerging technologies. Edited excerpts…
What have been the key milestones and achievements of TGGENCO over the past year?
TGGENCO is establishing a supercritical thermal power project, the Yadadri Thermal power station (5×800 MW) at Veerlapalem (V), Dameracherla (M), Nalgonda district. Unit 2 (800 MW) of Stage I was successfully commissioned on January 25, 2025. Unit 1 (800 MW) of Stage I was successfully commissioned on July 12, 2025 and has been dedicated to the nation by deputy chief minister and other ministers on August 1, 2025. With these additions, TGGENGO has significantly strengthened the state’s baseload capacity. Additionally, the Tadicherla coal mine received a 5-star rating during 2020-21 and 2023-24 from the Ministry of Coal.
How has TGGENCO performed operationally and financially in recent years?
TGGENCO has achieved record hydel generation of 5,294.39 MUs against a target of 3,700.32 MUs for the year 2024-25. A cumulative deemed plant load factor (PLF) of 76.29 per cent has been achieved by TGGENCO during the year 2024-25, considering backing down and reserve shutdown. TGGENCO secured seventh place with 65.01 per cent PLF during the year 2024-25 in thermal power generation among state-owned power utilities in the country against an all-India PLF of 69.47 per cent. Since FY 2022-23, the Tadicherla captive coal mine has produced 2.5 million tonnes per annum, achieving 100 per cent target. On the financial front, TGGENCO reported a total revenue of Rs 151.69 billion from power sale and other revenues for the period ended March 31, 2025. TGGENCO achieved a net profit of Rs 1.48 billion for the year 2024-25.
What are some of the recent initiatives undertaken by TGGENCO and those planned for the near future? What role does digitalisation and automation play in enhancing TGGENCO’s plant efficiency?
TGGENCO has embarked on several initiatives to modernise its operations and enhance efficiency through digitalisation and automation. Some recent and planned initiatives by TGGENGO include the following.
- Implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) project – TGSHAKTHI: TGGENCO has successfully rolled out the SAP ERP system across all its plants and headquarters, covering modules such as MM, PM, PS, HR, Payroll, FICO, BI/BO and SRM. Additional initiatives include biometric attendance, ERP integration for coal mines and the introduction of a digital life certificate system for pensioners.
- ERP system upgrade: TGGENCO plans to upgrade its ERP system from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA. This transition aims to streamline operations, improve data management and enhance decision-making capabilities.
- Centre of excellence for training and development (CETD), Palvancha: CETD was established in Palvancha, Bhadradri, Kothagudem district, Telangana, on April 12, 2017 to cater to the training needs of TGGENCO’s employees. This training institute has been established to enhance the skills of power engineers and operations and maintenance staff for technology upgradation and optimum utilisation of human resources for achieving the desired goals of the organisation.
- Renewable energy expansion: Under the Clean and Green Energy Policy, 2O25, Telangana aims to achieve 20,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and 40,000 MW by 2035. TGGENCO is expected to play a pivotal role in this expansion, contributing to the state’s commitment to sustainable energy.
- Solar capacity addition: TGGENCO proposed for the establishment of 4.6 MW solar at various miles of mini-hydel stations at Peddapally and work is under progress and expected to be completed by December 2025.
- Pump mode operation: All seven units (7×100.8 MW) of Nagarjunasagar and five out of six units of Srisailam Left Bank (6×150 MW) are currently under pump mode operation to meet peak demand from hydel stations in a cost-effective manner. In the context of large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid, the availability of pumped storage systems has proved beneficial for optimum load generation balance also.
How is TGGENCO balancing its conventional generation portfolio with the increasing push for renewables?
TGGENCO is strategically maintaining its conventional generation strength, while increasingly blending in renewable sources and storage capacity.
How is TGGENCO working towards enhancing the flexibilisation of its thermal power plants to support grid stability?
All TGGENCO thermal units have successfully achieved a technical minimum load (TML) of 55 per cent, except for Units 9 and 10 (2×250 MW) of KTPS-V. These units are equipped with ball tube mills and will be considered for 55 per cent TML operation only after the receipt of pilot test details from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Furthermore, test runs for achieving 40 per cent TML have been carried out in line with the CEA’s phasing plan and the observed deviations are currently under review.
What progress has TGGENCO made in deploying emission control technologies?
Flue gas desulphurisation system and electrostatic precipitator upgrades are being implemented across both upcoming and existing thermal power stations to ensure compliance with the emission norms prescribed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
What are the major challenges currently faced by TGGENCO and how is it addressing them?
TGGENCO faces key challenges in areas such as fuel security, renewable energy integration, thermal plant flexibilisation, emission compliance and financial sustainability. To address these, the company is exploring the expansion of captive coal mining, while also developing pumped storage projects and battery energy storage systems (BESSs) to support grid stability. It is simultaneously upgrading thermal plants to meet emission norms. On the financial front, TGGENCO is focusing on cost optimisation and tariff management through its ERP system, while also investing in staff upskilling and digitalisation of operations to enhance overall efficiency and reliability.
What is your strategic vision for TGGENCO over the next 5-10 years, especially in the context of India’s clean energy goals?
Over the next 5-10 years, TGGENCO’s strategic vision is to strengthen its base thermal capacity, while simultaneously accelerating the integration of renewable energy sources.
The company aims to significantly expand solar capacity across rooftop, floating and ground-mounted projects, while also developing pumped storage and BESS projects to enhance grid stability.
A continued focus will be placed on digitalisation to drive efficiencies, automation and reliability across operations. Above all, TGGENCO’s growth strategy will remain closely aligned with India’s clean energy transition goals, ensuring a balanced approach to meeting the rising power demand, while contributing to the country’s sustainability targets.
