The pioneer of electricity supply in India, CESC Limited commenced power generation and distribution in Kolkata in 1899 with India's first thermal power station. CESC, one of the few private power utilities, has since grown to a generating capacity of about 1000 MW across four thermal power plants. CESC is a vertically integrated power company and its operation encompasses coal mining, generation and distribution of power. Today, the company serves 15 million people spread over its licensed area of 567 sq. km in the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah in the State of West Bengal, India. Poised for large growth in demand, CESC is setting up a number of power stations in the country.