NTPC trades surplus power at IEX

Going forward, other companies like NHPC and Neyveli Lignite are also expected to participate in the market

In a first, state-run NTPC has traded surplus power from its four thermal power stations, including Vidhyanchal and Unchahar, at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX).

"For the first time, NTPC, the Maharatna public sector undertaking... Has traded in un-requisitioned surplus (URS) power from four of its prominent thermal generating stations – Vidhyanchal, Unchahar, Rihand and Dadri Power – at IEX," IEX said in a statement.

The central generating stations are scheduled on a day-ahead basis. Usually, generating stations offering cheaper power are fully scheduled by states. In case the state does not wish to utilise the power, the power remains un-requisitioned and unsold, the statement added.

To facilitate utilisation of such un-requisitioned power, the Power Ministry, in its amendment of the National Tariff Policy carried out in January, incorporated enabling provisions to allow the central generating companies to trade their URS power.

Going forward, other companies like NHPC, Neyveli Lignite, etc are also expected to participate in the market to sell their URS, creating a new opportunity for the markets.

NTPC's installed capacity is 47,178 Mw.