[1][2] The power station was commissioned during various periods from 1985 and it accounts for about 70% of the total electricity generated in Karnataka.

[3] The project to construct the thermal power station was finalized in 1978 after an MOU was signed between KPCL and the Karnataka State Electricity Board.

The generators were supplied by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and the turbines by Kraftwerk Union AG (KWU) and Mitsubishi.

As of 2007[update], Unit 8, with an installed capacity of 250 MW, is being constructed and is expected to be operational by September 2009.

The plant has also started to use washed coal, due to its lower ash content.

[8] RTPS generates about 1.5 million tonnes of fly ash annually which causes environmental problems.

[8] Though considered safer than fly-ash, bottom ash has also been found to contain heavy metals which can be dangerous to public health.

[8] The fly-ash is disposed of by converting it into a wet slurry and dumping it into vacant tracts of land (which become what are known as ash-ponds).

[9] CASHUTEC demonstrates different uses for fly ash; mainly its use in the construction sector for making bricks, blocks and mosaic tiles.