NTPC Korba Honored with Champion Award for Environmental Sustainability at EXCEED 2025

NTPC Situated in Chhattisgarh, India's first coal-based power facility, Korba has been given the first-rate Champion (Exceptional) award in the Environment Sustainability category (Power Inclusive Renewables) at the 19th EXCEED Environment, CSR & HR Awards 2025 on June 7, 2025. This acknowledgement emphasizes NTPC Korbas' persistent and significant contributions to environmental preservation and green energy transition. 

Background of NTPC Korba 

Located in Jamnipali, Korba district, NTPC Korba is a coalfired thermal power station with a total installed capacity of about 2,600 MW, commissioned in several phases from 1983 to 2010. Though it obtains its water from the Hasdeo River, coal mined locally from Kusmunda and Gevra mines powers its main engine. The plant has traditionally supported green projects and pollution management to improve operating efficiency and community well-being. 

Major Accomplishments and Environmental Projects 

NTPC Korba has launched several sustainable projects over the last ten years: 

Extensive tree plantings have been done to establish green buffers, hence improving local biodiversity and air quality through afforestation and green belt enlargement. 

Deployment of emission control includes low-NOx burners, flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) equipment, and electrostatic precipitators to lower sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate emissions. 

State-of-the-art effluent treatment plants minimize groundwater pollution and guarantee compliance with regulations. 

To vary its power mix, NTPC Korba has added renewable energy projects—including solar rooftops and hybrid systems—onto thermal generation. 

To cut down on freshwater use, attempts include rainwater harvesting systems and blowdown water recycling. 

Several projects have been undertaken in nearby settlements as part of community outreach include skill building, health programs, and energy efficiency awareness campaigns as well as rural electrification. 

Award Background: EXCEED 2025 

The EXCEED Awards, now in their nineteenth year, celebrate outstanding environmental management, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility across important industries. NTPC Korba fought in the Power (Inclusive Renewables) category, which honors power utilities that successfully combine renewable energy solutions while adhering with environmental, social, and legislative standards. 

Significance of the Champion (Outstanding) Award 

This premier prize underlines NTPC Korbas's great efforts to: 

Show constant environmental performance enhancement. 

Construct fortitude against changes in policy and the impacts of climate change. 

Set a standard for comparable coal-based power plants all across the country. 

The acknowledgement validates the compatibility of India's sustainable development plan with conventional coal-based systems. 

More General Consequences 

India aiming netzero emissions by 2070 and pursuing renewable energy growth goals (500 GW by 2030), NTPC Korbas sustainable performance has bigger ramifications: 

Establishing coal-fired electricity production standards: promoting best practices. 

Supporting agreement with national and world emissions standards is leadership in regulatory compliance. 

Mixed energy pathways: Highlighting how Indias present energy environment can be improved by coal plants assisting renewable integration. 

Model for socially responsible operations: Emphasizing a balance between industrial output and community well-being is critical to energy justice. 

In conclusion 

A historic accomplishment supporting ecologically responsible power generation in India is the NTPC Korbas "Champion (Outstanding)" prize at EXCEED 2025. Through concrete initiatives, this recognition enhances NTPC's green credentials and helps national climate goals. NTPC Korba illustrates how coal-based plants can grow sustainably, decarbonize, and uplift local communities as Indias power sector negotiates its netzero path. 

Source:Times of India