Adani’s Godda Power Plant Gets Approval for Indian Grid Connection

• The Government of India has approved Adani Power Limited’s (APL) 1,600 MW Godda Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plant in Jharkhand to connect with the national grid through a “Line-In Line-Out” (LILO) arrangement of the Kahalgaon–Maithon B 400 kV line.

Key Highlights:

• Background: The Godda plant, originally built to export power to Bangladesh, will now be allowed to supply electricity to India’s domestic grid. The Ministry of Power granted the approval under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003, giving APL authority to lay transmission lines across immovable property.

• Transmission Route: The proposed line will pass through 56 villages across Godda and Poreyahat tehsils. The approval, valid for 25 years, is subject to multiple clearances and environmental compliance.

• Policy and Regulatory Changes: To enable the connection, the government amended the 2024 cross-border power trade guidelines, while the CEA and CERC updated their respective procedures and network access regulations.

• Significance: The move allows the Godda plant to transition from an export-only facility to one that can serve domestic utilities, improving grid flexibility, capacity utilisation, and supply security.

• Benefits and Concerns:

  • Adds 1,600 MW to India’s power supply.

  • Boosts plant utilisation and grid resilience.

  • May face land, environmental, and clearance-related challenges across the transmission corridor.

The decision marks a strategic shift in India’s power sector, integrating export-focused private plants into the national grid to meet growing domestic demand.