Nabha Power Limited’s Rajpura Thermal Power Plant in Punjab’s Patiala district recorded an emission factor of 0.84 tonne CO₂ per megawatt-hour (0.84 tCO₂/MWh) in a June 24, 2025 assessment by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). This figure is lower than the national average emission factor of 0.97 tCO₂/MWh for coal-based thermal power plants, according to CSE’s report Decarbonizing the Coal-based Thermal Power Sector in India: A Roadmap.
The report evaluated coal-based thermal power plants across the country and identified Rajpura as the best-performing supercritical unit in the below-800 MW category for emission intensity. The plant also reported an auxiliary power consumption of 4.62 percent, which CSE noted as the lowest in the sector. Auxiliary power consumption refers to the electricity used by the plant’s own equipment; a lower rate indicates higher operational efficiency.
“The benchmark set by Rajpura TPP nudges other coal-based TPPs to adopt operational and modernisation measures to achieve emission intensity improvements. Coal decarbonisation potential via efficiency improvement is key to emission reductions in the power sector of India,” said Parth Kumar, Programme Manager at CSE.
“This recognition by CSE is a proud moment for all of us at Nabha Power. It validates our relentless focus on operational efficiency, environmental responsibility, and the adoption of best-in-class technologies. We remain committed to setting new benchmarks in sustainable power generation,” said S K Narang, Chief Executive of Nabha Power.
The Rajpura plant comprises two supercritical units of 700 MW each (total installed capacity: 1,400 MW). Both units were commissioned in 2014 and operate on domestic coal. CSE noted that the plant has maintained emission factors below 0.9 tCO₂/MWh despite using domestic coal.
Nabha Power Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Larsen & Toubro and operates the Rajpura thermal power plant, focusing on coal-based electricity generation.