Haryana Power Infrastructure Strengthened With Coal Allocation
The Haryana government has secured approval to allocate coal for a new thermal power generation unit at the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant in Khedar village, advancing the state’s long-term energy infrastructure strategy amid rising electricity demand and urban growth pressures. The development underscores how fuel supply planning and grid resilience are being prioritised alongside efforts to modernise electricity systems and reduce service disruptions.
Haryana’s Energy Minister confirmed that the critical coal linkage approval removes a key bottleneck for the planned expansion, enabling construction and operational planning to proceed. The new unit — part of a broader expansion of the existing facility in Hisar district — promises to augment regional power supply, supporting industrial activity, agricultural electrification and household demand across the state. Industry stakeholders note that reliable baseload capacity remains essential for economic growth, particularly as urban centres and secondary cities expand.The coal allocation is facilitated under the SHAKTI policy framework, a central government scheme designed to ensure transparent and long-term fuel supply arrangements for thermal power projects. This mechanism has been pivotal in resolving fuel supply risk for generators, allowing states to secure linkages that align with projected load growth and planned capacity additions. By pre-securing fuel, Haryana aims to mitigate the risk of generation shortfalls that can arise from supply chain disruptions and seasonal coal availability fluctuations.
Energy planners in the state see the Khedar unit as part of a portfolio approach to meeting future electricity needs. Alongside this project, plans for ultra-supercritical thermal units in Panipat and Yamunanagar are underway, reflecting an integrated approach to capacity building while negotiations continue with the central government on power distribution and grid modernisation. These investments are not just about megawatts; they are closely tied to economic activity, industrial park growth, and consistent energy access for households — foundational elements for urban and peri-urban development.However, thermal power expansion also intersects with environmental and climate considerations. Traditional coal-based generation remains carbon and particulate pollution-intensive, challenging states to balance energy security with sustainability goals. Urban environments, particularly in the National Capital Region adjacent to Haryana, face air quality pressures that have in recent years propelled policy dialogues on cleaner alternatives and grid transition roadmaps. In this context, coal allocations and power expansion programmes are increasingly scrutinised alongside renewable energy targets and emissions reduction commitments.
Operational resilience is another priority. The minister’s remarks also addressed infrastructure measures such as elevating flood-prone substations, a response to climate-induced weather risks that can disrupt service continuity. Such actions suggest a growing recognition that energy infrastructure must adapt to extreme weather patterns — a key priority for states with sprawling urban-industrial regions.
For urban planners, utilities and industry leaders, the coal allocation at Khedar is a tangible step toward balancing demand growth with system reliability. But the broader challenge remains integrating this capacity with decarbonisation paths, distributed energy resources and smarter grid investments that together shape resilient, affordable power for India’s expanding cities.
