With the successful completion of trial operations, the new 660-MW unit at Panki Power Plant in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh is set to begin operations. The facility, established in Panki with a capital expenditure of Rs 6,700 crore, underwent an initial trial on 21 February, 2025, achieving its target output.

Chief General Manager Govind Kumar Mishra stated, “Considering technical specifications and optimal oil usage, we planned to run the unit at its full capacity of 660 megawatts for 72 hours.” Exceeding expectations, the unit operated continuously for 87 hours, generating 58 million units of electricity at an average output of 666 MW, thereby fulfilling commercial production prerequisites.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the new unit in 2019. Initially scheduled for completion in January 2022, the project faced delays due to the pandemic. Now operational, the plant is expected to enhance power supply in the region.

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) had bagged the Rs 4,400 crore order from Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam for setting up this supercritical thermal power plant.