India's growing appetite for power needs more than just new plants; it needs smarter ones. In a step towards that goal, Toshiba JSW Power Systems, a subsidiary of Japan's Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions, has signed a contract with NTPC Limited to install an AI-driven monitoring system across 165 thermal and renewable energy plants. The system is set to begin operations in 2027.
At the heart of the initiative is EtaPRO, Toshiba's advanced plant monitoring software. Already in use across 60 countries, EtaPRO uses artificial intelligence to analyze data from thousands of sensors embedded in turbines, boilers and auxiliary equipment. The system detects early signs of wear, predicts possible failures, and recommends maintenance actions before breakdowns occur.
For NTPC, which runs one of the largest power generation fleets in the world, this technology means faster diagnostics, fewer unplanned shutdowns and more efficient maintenance scheduling. Over time, the AI model learns from each plant's data, improving prediction accuracy and helping engineers make better operational decisions.
This move comes as India plans to expand its power generation capacity from about 400 GW in 2022 to 900 GW by 2032. While new plants are being built, improving the performance and reliability of existing ones is equally vital. AI-based systems like EtaPRO can help bridge that gap, making existing infrastructure more efficient while supporting a stable power supply for a growing economy.
According to Toshiba JSW's Managing Director, Daisuke Murata, the project reflects a shared commitment to India's energy transformation journey through digital innovation, local manufacturing and collaboration.
For the wider industry, the initiative represents a quiet but important shift. It is less about adding capacity and more about making each megawatt work smarter. By combining real-time analytics with decades of engineering experience, the partnership between Toshiba and NTPC signals a future where power plants think ahead, act early and help keep India's lights on with greater reliability and efficiency.