Ahmedabad’s 100-Year-Old Sabarmati Thermal Plant to Be Retired by 2030.

Torrent Power plans to permanently shut its 362-MW coal-fired AMGEN power plant in Ahmedabad's Sabarmati area by December 2030 and replace it with a significantly larger thermal power unit that could be built outside Gujarat, marking the end of one of India's oldest operating power stations.

The Sabarmati plant, located on the city's riverfront, is adjacent to the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, which is being prepared to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and overlooks the upcoming Sabarmati bullet train station. Its closure would remove one of the last major coal-fired generating stations from the heart of Ahmedabad after nearly a century of operations.

"The AMGEN power project is about 362 MW capacity. We have permission to run it up to December 2030. After December 2030, it is not going to be in operation," a senior Torrent Power executive told investors during the company's post-results earnings call on Monday.

To replace the ageing facility, the company has sought coal linkage for nearly double its existing capacity. Torrent has proposed setting up an around 800-MW coal-fired unit, although the project is likely to be located outside Gujarat, where coal logistics are expected to be more favourable.

"We have requested the State government for double the coal allocation for the capacity of 362 MW. The State government has approved the coal, but they have requested the Central government for the coal allocation. Once the Central government approves the coal allocation for this plant, we plan to set up close to an 800-MW unit to replace the AMGEN power project," the executive said.

The Gujarat government has already endorsed the company's request and has approached the Centre for the required coal allocation. The proposed replacement project will move ahead once the Union government approves the coal linkage, the company said.

The retirement of the Sabarmati plant will coincide with the transformation of the surrounding area into a major urban and transport hub, with the riverfront precinct expected to host international sporting events and become home to the city's high-speed rail terminal.