The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, in Petition No. 982/GT/2025 dated 8 June 2026, directed NTPC Limited to submit additional information on affidavit by 15 June 2026 for the 2019-24 tariff truing-up of the 1,000 MW Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station Stage-III.

The Commission flagged a numerical discrepancy and several high-value capital-spares claims that require regulatory justification before the truing-up can be finalised.

Background

Tariff truing-ups under the CERC framework reconcile actual capital expenditure, operation and maintenance costs, and other parameters against the assumptions made in the original tariff order for the regulatory period.

Any disallowance or addition retrospectively adjusts NTPC's revenue entitlement and the tariff payable by beneficiary states.

Key concerns

CERC noted a discrepancy between Rs. 8,487.62 lakh of un-discharged liabilities shown in the petition and Rs. 8,488.33 lakh shown in Form-S.

The Commission also questioned the eligibility and value of several capital-spares claims, including a fully-bladed LP rotor valued at Rs. 2,314.27 lakh and a WDG-3A diesel locomotive valued at Rs. 2,152.50 lakh.

Implications

The outcome of the proceeding will affect NTPC's regulatory asset base and future tariff treatment.

The decision is also relevant for beneficiary states because it influences retrospective tariff obligations.

Wider significance

The proceeding highlights CERC's approach to evaluating capital-spares claims and ensuring that only eligible expenditure enters the tariff framework.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, in Petition No. 982/GT/2025 dated 8 June 2026, directed NTPC Limited to submit additional information on affidavit by 15 June 2026 for the 2019-24 tariff truing-up of the 1,000 MW Vindhyachal Super Thermal Power Station Stage-III.

The Commission flagged a numerical discrepancy and several high-value capital-spares claims that require regulatory justification before the truing-up can be finalised.

Background

Tariff truing-ups under the CERC framework reconcile actual capital expenditure, operation and maintenance costs, and other parameters against the assumptions made in the original tariff order for the regulatory period.

Any disallowance or addition retrospectively adjusts NTPC's revenue entitlement and the tariff payable by beneficiary states.

Key concerns

CERC noted a discrepancy between Rs. 8,487.62 lakh of un-discharged liabilities shown in the petition and Rs. 8,488.33 lakh shown in Form-S.

The Commission also questioned the eligibility and value of several capital-spares claims, including a fully-bladed LP rotor valued at Rs. 2,314.27 lakh and a WDG-3A diesel locomotive valued at Rs. 2,152.50 lakh.

Implications

The outcome of the proceeding will affect NTPC's regulatory asset base and future tariff treatment.

The decision is also relevant for beneficiary states because it influences retrospective tariff obligations.

Wider significance

The proceeding highlights CERC's approach to evaluating capital-spares claims and ensuring that only eligible expenditure enters the tariff framework.

Ash handling plants procurement at NTPC Mouda has introduced a six-vendor capacity-allocation model for ash transportation to NHAI, state road agency and PMGSY project sites. The GeM tender, GEM/2026/B/7451831, carries an estimated value of Rs 300 crore and a one-year contract period. Ash handling plants under this package require excavation of pond ash, loading, covered transportation and unloading at government road project sites. EnergylineIndia.com highlights this update for readers tracking NTPC thermal projects and Latest EPC power projects. The contract uses slab-wise transportation rates linked to lead distance up to 300km, but bidders must quote a single accepted percentage of base value that applies across all schedule items. This reduces item-wise pricing flexibility and pushes contractors to assess the whole logistics chain carefully. Ash handling plants contractors should also note the 45-day payment timeline from service delivery acceptance and online bill submission. NTPC has included an IP-address scrutiny clause, allowing outright rejection where common digital footprints suggest bid coordination. Ash handling plants procurement here favours fleet-backed contractors with ash handling, excavation and route-optimisation capability. Ash handling plants at Mouda may become a template if the six-award structure improves execution reliability.

The latest CEA power generation report for May 6, 2026 highlights rising stress across India’s generation fleet, with NTPC, state utilities, hydro stations and thermal units collectively under-performing against programme targets. NTPC alone recorded a 6.37 percent shortfall in April generation, producing 36,079 MU against a target of 38,535 MU.

A major concern in this CEA power generation report is the widening thermal generation shortfall linked to outages and maintenance. Total capacity under maintenance reached 57,435 MW, while the Northern Region recorded the highest forced outages at 2,213 MW.

The CEA power generation report also reveals uneven state-level performance. Rajasthan under-generated by 20.91 percent in April, while Uttar Pradesh posted a 9.24 percent deficit. Haryana, however, exceeded its target by 18.49 percent.

Another key signal from this CEA power generation report is pressure on hydro and coal generation. Coal plants generated 3,670 MU against a target of 3,785 MU, while hydro output missed programme levels by nearly 20 percent.

EnergylineIndia.com notes that grid capacity utilisation remains constrained by prolonged outages, boiler failures and reserve shutdowns. NTPC generation performance, especially in Northern Region stations, continues reflecting the wider operational stress affecting India’s power system.

The power generation shortfall reported by CEA highlights a concerning trend in NTPC performance India, with generation falling 7.96% below FY27 targets. The Northern Region faces the highest power generation shortfall, exceeding 14%.

According to the CEA generation report, nuclear generation is down by over 36% while thermal output is also significantly below target. This persistent power generation shortfall reflects structural constraints including outages and fuel issues.

Despite recommissioning of major thermal units such as Sasan and Yadadri, the system continues to face capacity constraints. The power generation shortfall is further aggravated by state-level underperformance, particularly in Rajasthan and Delhi.

Thermal plant outage India data shows over 46,000 MW of capacity unavailable, affecting supply adequacy. Coal plants continue to operate at higher utilisation levels compared to gas-based plants, which remain underutilised due to cost factors.EnergylineIndia.com highlights that the power generation shortfall could lead to higher spot procurement costs and financial stress for utilities. The power generation shortfall underscores the need for improved asset availability and fuel management, Energy Markets, Power India, NTPC, Grid Operations, Electricity.

The power generation shortfall reported by CEA highlights a concerning trend in NTPC performance India, with generation falling 7.96% below FY27 targets. The Northern Region faces the highest power generation shortfall, exceeding 14%.

According to the CEA generation report, nuclear generation is down by over 36% while thermal output is also significantly below target. This persistent power generation shortfall reflects structural constraints including outages and fuel issues.

Despite recommissioning of major thermal units such as Sasan and Yadadri, the system continues to face capacity constraints. The power generation shortfall is further aggravated by state-level underperformance, particularly in Rajasthan and Delhi.

Thermal plant outage India data shows over 46,000 MW of capacity unavailable, affecting supply adequacy. Coal plants continue to operate at higher utilisation levels compared to gas-based plants, which remain underutilised due to cost factors.EnergylineIndia.com highlights that the power generation shortfall could lead to higher spot procurement costs and financial stress for utilities. The power generation shortfall underscores the need for improved asset availability and fuel management, Energy Markets, Power India, NTPC, Grid Operations, Electricity.