Will raise total generation capacity to 75,000 Mw by 2017, up from 30,644 Mw at present.
India's largest power generator NTPC, which will launch a follow-on issue from February 3 to 5, plans to commission power projects of 4,000 MW capacity every year in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The state-run power utility will further increase the generation capacity added annually to 6,000 Mw during the 12th Five-Year Plan period. Overall, NTPC aims to increase generation capacity to 75,000 Mw by 2017, up from the 30,644 Mw at present.
NTPC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma told Business Standard that NTPC's power generation capacity is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 13 per cent. At present, 18 projects of 17,930 Mw capacity are under construction at 16 locations. The state-run power utility is pursuing a merchant power capacity of 2,120 Mw, which comprises two coal-based projects of 1,000 Mw capacity and two hydel projects of 1,120 Mw. The merchant power capacity will be sold at market rates.
Of the 75,000 Mw targeted annually, Sharma informed that NTPC is aiming at generating 9,000 Mw from hydroelectric projects. At present, 1,920 Mw of capacity is under construction and 552 Mw is being bid for. Further, NTPC eyes 2,000 Mw of nuclear power capacity by 2017. It has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nuclear Power Corporation to establish nuclear power projects.
Sharma said the company proposed to set up renewable sources of energy with 1,000 Mw of capacity, including wind and solar. NTPC has already invited bids from vendors for development of 100 Mw of wind power projects at various locations. Furthermore, the NTPC board has accorded an approval for building solar capacity of 301 Mw. At present, a feasibility report has been finalised for 15 Mw grid-connected solar plant in Rajasthan.
NTPC's subsidiary NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam has been designated as the nodal agency for the purchase and sale of up to 1,000 Mw of solar power commissioned by 2012-13 under the National Solar Mission launched by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday.
On procurement of gas, Sharma said NTPC has already organised linkage of 15.5 million standard cubic meters a day (mscmd) of gas against an estimated requirement of 16.4 mscmd in 2011-12. "NTPC has signed gas supply agreements with GAIL for gas supply up to 2021. Besides, an agreement has been signed with GAIL India for regassified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply on long-term basis. Domestic natural gas (KG-D6) supply agreements have been inked on long-term basis, excluding gas supply for Kawas and Gandhar projects," Sharma informed. He further added that NTPC would go in for procurement of natural gas and RLNG on short-term and spot basis as per requirements.
As far as coal linkage is concerned, Sharma said NTPC was expected to commence production from coal blocks allotted to it during 2011-12. The coal production from six such blocks would reach up to 47 million tonnes per annum by 2016-17. He pointed out that NTPC is focusing on acquiring stakes in coal mines in various countries, including Australia, Indonesia and South Africa.
