The government is planning upgradation of 225 power plants (both thermal and hydroelectric) with an estimated investment of Rs.12,404 crore. This renovation and modernisation (R&M) is being planned to create an additional capacity of 12,263 MW in the coming years.

A total of 106 old and 57 comparatively new thermal power plants has been identified for the life extension (LE) scheme and the renovation and modernisation (R&M) works respectively.

The plants identified under the LE scheme will have 15-20 years of additional working life while the plants chosen for R&M will be able to maintain their current performance in the coming years too. The old plants already have a capacity of 10,413 MW and after the LE scheme is implemented at a cost of Rs.9,200 crore, the plants can increase the capacity up to 10,747 MW.

The 57 new plants can maintain their current performance after the R&M with an investment of Rs.977 crore. Also, 62 existing hydroelectric plants, with a present generate 9,977.5 MW, is expected to undergo renovation. The estimated cost for the R&M of these plants stands at Rs.2,227.062 crore, however the expected power generation from these plants is pegged at 1516.13 MW.

The highest generation is estimated to be yielded from six Chandrapur (Jharkhand) DVC units, which add 780 MW additional generation capacity. And, the highest expenses will be incurred for Obra units (1-13) in Uttar Pradesh. With an expenditure of Rs.1,400 crore, the LE scheme for the plant (Obra) is expected to generate an additional 210 MW.

By investing on renovation and modernisation of old power plants, the government is expected to achieve 34,024 MW generation target in the 10th Five Year Plan and aims to add 62,000 MW in the 11th Five Year Plan, which can be further increased depending on the availability of gas.