NTPC to cross generation target in current plan, says CMD

The utility major National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has expressed confidence to cross its power generation target during the 12th five year plan.

“We are confident to produce about 13,000MW of additional power during the current plan period as against the target of 11500 MW,” said Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of NTPC, Arup Ray Choudhury during his visit to NTPC plants at Talcher.

He, however, said the company has to overcome some tough challenges in the way of ramping up power generation. “These include coal shortage, land constraint and lack of timely environmental clearance for new projects.”

“We are optimistic to achieve this because several projects are in execution stage at nine locations in the country which will go on stream during the current plan. Gone are days when we depended on Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) only for equipments. Now we are getting the state of art equipments and machineries from reputed global firms to expedite our project execution,” he told newsmen here during a media interaction.

Describing shortage of coal supply is the major constraint before the NTPC to achieve the desired outcome, Ray Choudhury said, various options should be explored to allow government and private companies other than Coal India (CIL) for coal production to meet the rising demand of coal in the country.

He said, NTPC needs around 140 to 150 Million tonne of coal per annum to feed its power plants while CIL provides about 120 MT. The shortfall is met by import and by other means like procuring coal through e-auction. “However, we cannot afford to import coal beyond certain percentage to balance our cost of production,” he said and added “NTPC is also is trying hard to start coal mines it has been allotted to meet the demand.”

As regards to Odisha, he said, there would be an investment of Rs 20,000 crore in the state for the two mega new power projects in Darlipalli and Gajmara besides expansion of Talcher Thermal Power Station. The executive director of corporate office Saptarshi Ray was also present.