Lok Sabha Question No. 2036 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Water Scarcity in Coal-Based Power Projects
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Adv. Chandra Shekhar, Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2036 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025

## WATER SCARCITY IN COAL-BASED POWER PROJECTS

2036.  ADV. CHANDRA SHEKHAR:

SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a significant number of coal-based power projects under construction or expansion are located in water-stressed districts, if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (b) whether several of these plants are facing delays or reduced generation due to water shortages, if so, the details thereof including the names of such power plants and districts affected during the last three years;
- (c) whether the Government has conducted or commissioned any cumulative water availability  and  use  assessment  for  large  thermal  projects  situated  in  semi-arid  and drought-prone regions and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether any coal-linked thermal power plant projects have been stalled, scaled down or cancelled due to lack of assured water supply and if so, the details thereof along with the list of such projects, if any?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) & (b):   As per the National Compilation on Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, groundwater assessment units ( districts, blocks etc) across the country are categorised as Safe (less or equal to 70%), Semi-critical (greater than 70% and less or equal to 90%), Critical (greater than 90% and less or equal to 100%) & Over Exploited ( greater than 100%)  based on ratio of annual groundwater extraction and replenishment phreatic aquifer. Accordingly, there are three (03) numbers of coalbased power projects under construction or expansion located in water-stressed districts and their details are given at Annexure.

These plants have not reported any delay on account of water shortages.

(c): No such study has been conducted by the Government. Allocation of water for Thermal Power Plants is done by Water Resources Department of the concerned State Government where the project is located and they assess all factors before allocation of water. (d): Decision related to the size of coal-based thermal power plants are taken by the generating  companies  /  project  developers  based  on  their  techno-economic  and commercial requirements and assessment of local conditions, which includes availability of water. Additionally, new coal-based thermal power plants are also adopting ACC (Air Cooled Condenser) based technology for water conservation, where required, resulting in 60% reduction in water consumption in respect to Cooling Tower system. .

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2036 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 11.12.2025

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## Coal-based Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) under construction and awarded located in water-stressed districts

|   Sl No | State         | District     | Name of TPP   | Utility     | Sector   | Status (Under Construction/ Awarded)   | Category       |
|---------|---------------|--------------|---------------|-------------|----------|----------------------------------------|----------------|
|       1 | Uttar Pradesh | Kanpur Nagar | Ghatampur TPP | NUPPL       | Central  | Under Construction                     | Semi- critical |
|       2 | Haryana       | Yamunanagar  | DCR TPP Ext   | HPGCL       | State    | Under Construction                     | Over Exploited |
|       3 | Rajasthan     | Baran        | Kawai TPP     | Adani Power | Private  | Awarded but due for construction       | Over Exploited |

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