NTPC to expand capacity in southern region

Country’s largest power producer NTPC Limited will be adding about 8,000 Mw generating capacity in the southern region by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan, taking its total installed capacity in south to around 16,000 Mw.

The company, which accounts for 22 per cent of the total electricity generated in the southern region, is also planning to set up a 30-Mw solar power plant at Ramagundam in Andhra Pradesh.

According to NTPC regional executive director (south) Ambarish N Dave, currently NTPC southern region plants have a total installed capacity of 5,950 Mw and an additional capacity of 2,000 Mw will be added by 2011-12. In the 12th Plan period, the company would be adding an additional 8,300 Mw of generating capacity taking the installed capacity in the region to over 16,000 Mw.

He told mediapersons here on Friday that Stage-II of the Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station near Visakhapatnam, involving an investment of around Rs 5,000 crore, would be completed by 2011. Stage-II comprises setting up of two units of 500 Mw each. The first unit would be commissioned in November this year, while the second would be commissioned by May 2011.

Similarly, NTPC and Power Company of Karnataka Limited had entered into a memorandum of understanding in January this year for setting up a 4,000 Mw power project at Kudgi in Bijapur district. The Kudgi Duper Thermal Power Project would have 3 units of 800 Mw each in Stage-I and 2 units of similar capacity in Stage-II.

Dave said preliminary studies of the project, estimated to cost about Rs 16,910 crore, have been completed.

NTPC is also conducting preliminary studies for establishing a 2x1,000 Mw coastal-based thermal power project at Marakkanam in Tamil Nadu. The project is estimated to cost about Rs 5,500 crore.

With regard to Stage-II of the Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Project at Kayamkulam, NTPC has entered into a power supply agreement with GAIL and is conducting topography and geo-technical studies.

NTPC envisages taking up the 1,950 Mw expansion project upon availability of fuel at a viable cost. No additional land is required for the proposed expansion.

In the case of 2x500 Mw Stage-IV of the Ramagundam Super Thermal Power station, Dave said NTPC was currently holding discussions with state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited for coal tie-up. Land and water were available for the project and site specific studies would be commenced.