NTPC to invest Rs 40K cr in 3 MP projects

The state-owned power major NTPC today said it will invest about Rs 40,000 crore for setting up three coal-based projects in Madhya Pradesh.

The company has selected sites at Bamitha, Gadarwara and Khargone in the state for setting up three coal-fired power stations with a combined capacity of 7,960mw. The average generation cost of one megawatt power is Rs 5 crore.

Studies such as environmental impact, water and fuel availability are underway and would be complete in the next six months.

"Studies are on and the detailed project report and feasibility report will be complete in the next six months, and within a year we can start working on these projects," NTPC chairman and managing director RS Sharma told PTI on the sidelines of Power Ministers' Conference here today.
      
The thermal power projects at Bamitha, Gadarwara and Khargone are expected to be of 4,000mw, 2,640mw and 1,320mw capacity, respectively.
     
The annual coal requirement of these power projects is estimated at 40 million tonne, considering 5 million tonne coal is needed for generating 1,000mw power.
     
NTPC is yet to tie up the fuel linkage for these projects and has written to the power ministry for taking up the matter with the coal ministry. "We have written to the power ministry asking for coal linkages...They would approach the coal ministry on our behalf," Sharma said.
     
Power generation from these stations would start only after five to six years. NTPC currently generates over 31,000mw power and plans to scale up this to 50,000mw by 2012.