Adani has embarked on an extravaganza that will double its coal-power production in the coming years to a total of nearly 38 GW, according to an exclusive analysis by AdaniWatch. When complete, Adani will burn 155 million tonnes per annum of coal, and its emissions of carbon dioxide from its coal-power stations will exceed 200 million tonnes per annum. Adani is literally doubling down on its status as the world’s biggest private developer of coal.
This analysis looks at the big picture created by the 15 coal-power projects of the Adani Group in India.
The sources for this information are Adani Power’s financial statements and its disclosures to Indian environmental regulators. The disclosures show that the expansion will be fueled by a corresponding doubling of coal burning by the Adani Group’s power plants to 155 million tonnes per annum. The expansion projects are in various stages of progress, ranging from those under construction to some that are still seeking regulatory approvals from the Indian government.
Our analysis also shows that Adani Power’s plans add up to 37.83 GW, a total that is much higher than the company’s stated target of 30.67 GW, including as recently as 29 January 2025 (PDF, page 11).
A more detailed table can be found here:
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Q4E4k/9/
The most obvious impact of this expansion of coal-power capacity is on the demand for coal. Adani Power will burn an additional 83.5 million tonnes of coal annually for its capacity additions, over and above its current coal use of 71.4 million tonnes per year. The total expected demand for coal after the expansions have occurred is 155 million tonnes of coal per year. This is strikingly similar to the figure that applies to the Adani Group’s plan to double its coal output to 151 million tonnes per annum, as AdaniWatch has reported. Some of this extraction of coal will take place in mines where Adani is contracted to supply coal to the state-run power utilities that own the mine leases. This means Adani’s coal-power plants will have to rely on the Indian government’s Coal India Limited or on suppliers abroad to meet their total demand for coal.
The plans, if they all come to reality, mean that Adani’s coal-power stations will produce emissions of carbon dioxide amounting to roughly 200 million tonnes every year, according to the current emission characteristics of Indian coal-power plants. (This calculation considers the estimated average plant load factor in India, the utilisation of a power plant relative to its rated capacity, of 70%, and that Indian power plants as of 2022-23 emitted an average 0.9 million tonnes of CO2 per billion units of electricity produced).
The data also shows that Adani Power’s efficiency of coal use is not expected to improve. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that its existing capacity uses about 4022 tonnes of coal per megawatt of installed capacity, while the additional capacity would use 4086 tonnes. While the Group says it is installing generators that use supposedly more efficient supercritical and ultra-supercritical technology, the data shows that Adani Power expects the new generating capacity to use marginally more coal than the existing power plants.
The massive expansion has already caused financial concerns about the 70% increase in the debt of Adani Power that is required to fund the expansion. Credit-rating agencies in India have flagged that any delays or cancellation in the expansion projects would be a risk to the company’s financial stability. However, the agencies also say that Adani Power has the ‘ability’ to execute projects and overcome challenges.
The impact of all this would exceed the raw numbers in the charts above because the expansion would lock in decades of mining and burning coal. It also shows how Adani’s spin about its push for green technologies hides its stronger commitment to coal, coal and more coal.
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Where will the expansions occur?
The biggest additions are taking place at the Mahan (also known as Bandhaura and Singrauli), Kawai and Anuppur plants where 3.2 GW capacity each are planned to be installed, followed by the Nilanchal project in Odisha state where 2.4 GW of capacity is planned. The projects at Mahan and Kawai involve expansions of 3.2 GW each. Anuppur and Nilanchal would be newly constructed coal-power plants.
The new additions show that Adani Power plans to concentrate most of its capacity in three large coal-power plants. So far, the company has only one so-called ‘ultra mega’ coal-power plant, defined as a plant with more than 4 GW capacity – at Mundra. But after the expansions, this will include the Kawai and Mahan plants. If the additions are completed, such large facilities will account for 80% of its total capacity. At present, such large plants account for 56% of Adani Power’s installed coal-power capacity.
Higher capacities at a single location imply a higher local load of pollution from burning the coal, and a higher local impact of coal dust from the rail wagons and trucks that will bring the fuel to the plants. But it would allow Adani to cut costs through economies of scale, and possibly by limiting the areas where it has to face conflicts from local communities. On the other hand, it’s also a riskier strategy for the company since the stalling of a single facility – due to protests, court orders or coal-supply shortfalls – would have a greater impact than it does at present.
Our analysis also shows the outsize importance of plants that Adani Power acquired from other companies such as those in Singrauli and Udupi. The majority of the proposed additions – 13.29 GW – are in acquired coal-power facilities. In the power plants that it has built from scratch, as at Mundra and Kawai, there are 4.8 GW of additions proposed, most of which (3.2 GW) is proposed to be added in Kawai alone.
This means that Adani Power finds its acquired plants to be more suitable for adding new capacity than the facilities it built itself, and this could explain the company’s rationale behind acquiring new facilities. While the company has not disclosed its thinking behind this, one reason could be that its acquired capacity is largely in central and eastern Indian states that are rich in coal and already have high numbers of coal-power plants. Adding more plants there might be easier and economical than in western India where coal has to be shipped long distances. Facilities in eastern and central India are also better located (than northern or western regions) to receive coal from Adani’s Carmichael mine in Australia.
The data also highlights the significant role played by India’s bankruptcy laws, brought in by the Modi government in 2016. Of the total addition proposed by Adani Power, the highest (7.52 GW) is in facilities that Adani Power acquired from bankrupt power companies. This figure does not include the capacity that was already operational at these facilities when Adani acquired them. If these numbers are included, then the total capacity from the formerly bankrupt facilities would account for 12.72 GW – nearly one-third of the total post-addition capacity of the company.
While global concerns about Adani’s coal-burning agenda pertain primarily to the impacts on climate, the concerns for people living near the plants pertain mostly to local impacts. A brief description of impacts for each operation follows:
Udupi coal-power plant, Karnataka
The proposed expansion of Adani’s Udupi coal-power plant in Udupi has been in limbo after facing strong opposition from the local community due to environmental impacts. A survey of 387 families living within 10 kilometres of the plant revealed that 97% opposed the expansion. The plant’s commissioning in the late 1990s caused loss of land, polluted water and worsening human health, especially when it comes to respiratory and skin diseases. Many agricultural families have seen their land’s productivity decline, with contamination of soil and water making rice cultivation more difficult.
Despite promises of job creation, the plant failed to deliver economic benefits to the local community. Over 93% of survey respondents felt no positive impact; unemployment remained high. Community opposition to the plant dates back to the 1980s, but tensions resurfaced after Adani’s acquisition of the project in 2015 and its push for expansion.
In response to pollution violations, the National Green Tribunal has fined the Adani-owned plant at Udupi over US $6 million. Pollution, including coal dust, fly ash and wastewater discharge, has significantly damaged local farming and marine life, with reports of dead crustaceans and dolphins.
Bandhaura / Mahan / Singrauli coal-power plant, Madhya Pradesh
On 14 February 2025, local residents near Adani’s Mahan coal-power plant in Madhya Pradesh set fire to several vehicles, including buses and trucks, in retaliation for the deaths of two motorcyclists run over by a coal-laden truck. The incident occurred along roads congested with coal trucks, leading to mounting local anger over inadequate police responses. This event was the culmination of tensions generated by the plant, which has been undergoing a major expansion.
The Mahan coal-power plant, owned by Adani through Mahan Energen Limited, is currently expanding from 1.2 GW capacity to 4.4 GW. The first phase of the expansion, approved in August 2023, increased its capacity to 2.8 GW, while a second phase, recommended in January 2025, will add another 1.6 GW. However, the company has failed to meet several key environmental conditions, such as conducting studies of the power plant’s impacts on the health of local communities and on the local ecology.
The expansion will significantly increase coal consumption, with an additional 13.35 million tons of coal required annually. The local infrastructure, particularly roads used to transport coal, is already strained, with reports of coal-dust pollution and environmental degradation. Despite this, the expansion continues, with assurances from the company that it will mitigate environmental harm, including using treated sewage and installing pollution-control measures.
Raikheda coal-power plant, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
On 1 November 2024, the Indian government approved a significant expansion of Adani’s Raikheda coal-power plant in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, despite unresolved issues arising from the original project. The plant’s capacity will more than double from 1.37 GW to 2.97 GW, requiring an additional 6.6 million tonnes of coal annually. This expansion, costing US $632 million, has sparked local opposition.
The Raikheda plant, owned by Adani Power Limited since 2019, occupies 358 hectares in an industrial zone and will affect villages such as Raikheda, Gaitara and Chicholi. A public hearing held in June 2024 raised concerns about job opportunities, pollution and transparency, with some local leaders accusing the company of neglecting promises from an earlier hearing pertaining to the plant’s original approval.
Issues include excessive ash content in the coal used, leading to dirtier emissions, and non-compliance with environmental standards, such as installing flue gas desulfurization systems. Despite these challenges, Adani Power claims to be addressing grievances through a ‘corporate social responsibility’ program with an allocated fund of US $6 million. However, local reports indicate ongoing dissatisfaction regarding employment and compensation for displaced families. The project is entangled in multiple litigations, though none directly pertains to environmental matters. The plant’s expansion will require coal from Adani's misnamed Gondulpara mine, which faces very fierce opposition from the villages earmarked for obliteration. (One of the many villages the mining project plans to destroy is named Gondalpura)
Raigarh Energy Generation Limited, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh
In December 2024, the Modi government approved the expansion of Adani’s Raigarh coal-power plant in Chhattisgarh, increasing its capacity from 0.6 GW to 2.2 GW. The expansion will cost US $1.6 billion. Despite strong local protests motivated by objections to the likely impacts of pollution and disposal of fly ash, the project was approved by the Ministry of Environment on 28 November 2024. The expansion will more than double the plant’s coal requirements to 6.6 MTPA, sourced from Adani’s proposed mine in Odisha.
Locals fear the impacts of improper disposal of fly ash, a toxic by-product of burning coal, which they say is being dumped on farmland and in water bodies. Adani Power has committed to clearing all legacy fly ash and disposing of future ash according to regulations. However, the expansion’s impact on the environment, particularly regarding the three-fold increase in production of fly ash, has not been fully addressed. Additionally, pollution from coal trucks and the lack of trees along coal transport routes remain ongoing concerns.
The plant’s expansion is also expected to affect wildlife in the area; a conservation plan is yet to be approved. Despite these failings, the expansion continues, with the approval secured despite community opposition. Adani Power says it has pledged US $249 million for environmental-protection measures.
Anuppur coal-power plant, Madhya Pradesh
The Adani Group plans to build a 3.2 GW coal-power plant in Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, which has prompted criticism of its potential impact on nearby tiger populations. The project, costing US $4.3 billion, is located near several protected wildlife areas, including the Bandhavgarh and Kanha Tiger Reserves, and may disrupt important tiger corridors. Critics argue that this could lead to increased human-wildlife conflict and harm tiger conservation efforts in a population of tigers that is genetically rich.
The plant, proposed by Adani’s subsidiary Anuppur Thermal Energy, will require 13.3 million tons of coal annually. The project has drawn scrutiny from conservationists, who claim the Adani Group is downplaying the environmental risks and failing to disclose important information regarding wildlife corridors. A government expert committee, however, granted approval for an environmental impact assessment (EIA), recommending a review of the cumulative impact of all projects in the area.
The Adani Group responded by stating that no wildlife corridors exist within a 15 km radius of the project, citing an earlier 2014 report by India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority. The plant’s location, 700 metres from the border with Chhattisgarh, is part of a landscape crucial for tiger movement, with the region’s tiger population representing 31% of India’s total. Local communities affected by the project have also expressed dissatisfaction, citing job promises that have not been kept. The project has a capacity of 3.2 GW.
Mirzapur coal-power plant, Uttar Pradesh
The Adani Group plans to build a 1.6 GW coal-power plant in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, which could impact the region’s rich biodiversity. Located near the village of Dadri Khurd, the site occupies 365 hectares and will require 6.4 million tons of coal annually. The project, valued at US $2.2 billion, is being developed by the Adani subsidiary Mirzapur Thermal Energy (UP) Private Limited. Despite being rich in wildlife, including sloth bears, leopards and vultures, the proponent has gained initial approval to prepare an environmental impact assessment (EIA). The Adani Group was accused in February 2025 of undertaking construction work at the project site before being granted the necessary approvals.
Local objections arose when large areas of vegetation were cleared in June 2024, despite the lack of statutory approvals for the clearing of forest. The project’s environmental impact has drawn attention from India’s National Green Tribunal, which registered a case in July 2024 due to concerns about deforestation and wildlife disruption. A previous proposal for a power plant in the area was rejected by the tribunal in 2016, partly due to environmental impacts.
The Adani Group claims the land is non-forest and zoned for industrial use. However, conservationists argue that the project threatens rare flora and fauna, including protected species. Despite this opposition, the Adani Group insists that the project will improve the local power supply and economy, creating jobs and boosting the region’s infrastructure.
Mundra coal-power plant, Gujarat
The Adani Group’s coal-power plant in Mundra, Gujarat, the home state of both Gautam Adani and Narendra Modi, has upset local communities and environmental experts. According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, tabled in the Gujarat legislative assembly on 22 September 2022, environmental violations at the plant have gone largely unchecked by authorities. The report highlighted that up to 14 coal-power units were approved in Mundra despite warnings about severe environmental impacts, such as increased pollution and loss of biodiversity. The Adani Group had illegally dumped 1.542 million metric tons of toxic fly ash into low-lying areas, which has harmed local farming and fishing resources. Fishing communities complain of fly ash settling on fish during drying, while farmers note the increased salinity of the soil and the decline of crops such as date palms due to deposits of fly ash.
Pollution from the plants has contributed to health problems and depletion of marine life. Fishing communities have reported a significant decrease in fish populations along the coast, forcing them to travel further into the sea for a catch. Despite government guidelines on disposal of fly ash, the Adani Group has failed to meet these standards, with no action taken by Gujarat Pollution Control Board. These ongoing environmental impacts, linked to inadequate pollution-control measures, continue to plague local communities in Mundra.
Kawai coal-power plant, Rajasthan
Adani Power’s proposal to expand its coal power plant in Kawai, Rajasthan, has sparked objections amongst local people. The expansion aims to increase the plant’s capacity by 3.2 GW, requiring an additional 12.9 million tonnes of coal annually as well as 56 million cubic metres of water each year in a region where water is scarce. Local residents are worried about the impact on water resources and air quality as the plant has previously faced allegations concerning unsatisfactory publication of data on groundwater and air pollution.
Despite the objections, Adani Power is pushing ahead with the expansion, which would make the Kawai plant one of its largest coal-power facilities. The environmental impact of the proposed expansion is under review.
Godda coal-power plant, Jharkhand
In June 2022, Adivasi leaders from the eastern Indian state Jharkhand’s north-eastern region gathered near Godda to oppose the environmental and social impacts of Adani’s coal-powered Godda plant. The power plant has been up and running for nearly two years, using coal from Adani’s Carmichael mine in Queensland and pumping water from the Ganges River.
Family lands near Godda have been encroached upon by the project. In 2016, people struggled against acquisition of their land for the power plant. Oppression faced by local Adivasi communities, include threats and legal cases. Power generated from the plant is exported to India’s eastern neighbour, Bangladesh. Transmission lines from Godda to Bangladesh have destroyed hundreds of mango and lychee trees in orchards in West Bengal. However, following the 2024 overthrow of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Haseena, the country’s interim government ordered a review of the controversial power-purchase agreement between Bangladesh and Adani.
Toothukudi (Coastal Energen) coal-power plant, Tamil Nadu
In September 2024, the Supreme Court of India allowed an Adani-led consortium to continue operating Coastal Energen’s power plant, located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, following its acquisition of the bankrupt company. The Court overruled an interim order from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which had directed the resolution professional to take control of the plant. The Court’s decision restored the status quo, allowing the consortium to operate the plant without making changes to its infrastructure, finances or debt-equity structure until the NCLAT issues a final ruling.
The case revolves around the consortium’s acquisition of Coastal Energen, the company owning the 1.2 GW coal-power plant, which had been admitted for insolvency in February 2022. The Adani consortium had its resolution plan approved by the creditors. However, the former director of Coastal Energen, Ahmed Buhari, challenged the process, alleging procedural errors in selecting the bidder.
Korba coal-power plant, Chhattisgarh
In August 2024, Adani Power received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to acquire Lanco Amarkantak Power Ltd (LAPL). The company operates a 0.6 GW coal-power plant in Pathadi Village, Korba District, Chhattisgarh. Adani Power acquired 100% of LAPL’s shares. This acquisition includes a proposed expansion of 2 x 660 MW (1.32 GW). The majority of the electricity generated from the plant is supplied to Haryana and Madhya Pradesh under long-term power contracts. Additionally, LAPL has a long-term coal contract with Coal India Limited’s subsidiary, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd.
After Adani’s takeover, the company was renamed Korba Power Limited. In February 2024, the Adani Group was allowed to carry out an environmental impact assessment without a fresh public hearing. The earlier owner could not complete the expansion within the validity period of the project’s environmental approval; a partial expansion occurred. The project is barely 2.35 km from the Hasdeo River of Chhattisgarh and will draw more than 100,000 cubic meters of water daily.
Nilanchal Thermal Power Plant, Cuttack, Odisha
The Nilanchal Thermal Power Plant company, which Adani Power acquired in 2024, aims to construct a 2.4 GW coal-power plant which would require 9.67 million tonnes of coal annually. The Odisha government is currently reviewing the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA). The project, proposed by its previous owner, faced legal hurdles in the past due to its proximity to the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to elephants. In addition to fears for the local environment, there is a history of dissatisfaction from local farmers who lost their land to the project. This situation has been exacerbated by the fact that Adani Power’s acquisition of the plant was quite opaque, with the company acquiring a small, family-run firm for a fraction of its value. The project also faces scrutiny over its connection to past controversies.
Tiroda Thermal coal-power project, Gondia, Maharashtra
In October 2014, the government of the western Indian state of Maharashtra approved the clearing of 149 hectares of forest land in Gondia district in the drought-prone Vidarbha region for the expansion of the Adani Group’s coal-power plant in Tiroda. The project received final approval on 28 August 2014, soon after Narendra Modi was elected India’s prime minister for the first time. The decision to destroy this forest followed a report from the Gondia district administration in 2008, which apparently found no available non-forest land suitable for the project. The environmental approval, granted in 2014, stipulated various conditions, including the development of green belts and restoration of wildlife corridors to mitigate ecological damage. The project’s impact on local forests, wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem remains a concern, despite the planned mitigation measures.
