NTPC to bid for imported fuel-based UMPPs

State-run NTPC is planning to bid for imported fuel-based 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Power Projects after acquiring coal properties abroad.

"Whenever we acquire coal mines abroad, we would bid for the imported coal-based UMPPs," CMD RS Sharma told PTI.

NTPC has identified coal mines in Indonesia, Mozambique and South Africa to bridge the fuel supply shortfall from domestic sources.

The company is looking at coal mines abroad that can produce up to 20 million tonnes of fuel per annum. The dry fuel requirement of NTPC stands at about 125 million tonnes per annum.

Also, the state-run power utility is eyeing to import eight million tonnes of coal in the current financial year. The company needs about five million tonnes of coal for projects already planned and the balance would meet the fuel requirement of future projects.

NTPC has floated a joint venture firm International Coal Ventures Ltd (ICVL) with Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd, Coal India and National Mineral Development Corp (NMDC) to secure fuel properties abroad.

The power major, which has an installed capacity of nearly 30,000 MW, plans to add 22,000 MW capacity in the 11th Plan (2007-12) and another 25,000 MW by 2017.