The Hindu Business Line : NTPC plans to treble capacity to 75,000 MW by 2017

NTPC Ltd said on Tuesday it plans to triple its power generation capacity to 75,000 MW by 2017, while intensifying its focus on newly diversified areas including hydroelectric projects, coal mining and nuclear energy.

The company plans to add about 21,941 MW generation capacity during the Eleventh Plan period (2007-12) at an estimated expenditure of Rs 1,60,000 crore.

NTPC would have an installed capacity of about 51,000 MW by 2012 and over 75,000 MW at the end of Twelfth Plan from a generation capacity of 26,194 MW at present, the Chairman and Managing Director, Mr T. Sankaralingam, told shareholders at the annual general meeting.

On the proposed generation projects, he said that NTPC was currently working on plants with a total capacity of more than 11,000 MW. The company has also taken up three integrated coal mining and power projects with a capacity of 10,400 MW.

To up hydro power

Going forward, NTPC's generation mix would have increased share of hydro power, he said, adding by 2017 a total of 9,000 MW of hydro capacity would be developed. From a long-term perspective, nuclear power was a good option, he said, adding the company was in touch with the Government for setting up a nuclear project.

The company will start coal production from one of the eight mines allocated to it by December 2007, he said, adding that NTPC was also looking to acquire coalmines abroad as part of efforts to ensure fuel security.

NG from spot markets

Mr Sankarlingam said the company is buying natural gas from the spot markets as a short-term measure to run its gas-fired plants. In the long term, the firm was exploring opportunities for participation in the gas value chain including exploration and production, he said.

NTPC's total revenue for 2005-06 was up 15 per cent at Rs 28,750.70 crore over the previous fiscal, according to audited figures, while its net profit was marginally up at Rs 5,820 crore during last fiscal compared to Rs 5,807 crore in 2004-05. The company has declared a total dividend of 28 per cent during 2005-06.

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