The Hindu : Business : NTPC to triple generation capacity

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Thursday, Sep 21, 2006
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NTPC to triple generation capacity

Special Correspondent

To add a fresh generating capacity of about 21,941 MW during the Eleventh Plan

NEW DELHI: NTPC proposes to triple its generation capacity to 75,000 MW by 2017 while foraying into hydroelectric power projects, coal mining and nuclear plants.

At the annual general meeting here on Tuesday, the NTPC Chairman and Managing Director, T. Sankaralingam, told shareholders that the central utility would add a fresh generating capacity of about 21,941 MW during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12) at an estimated expenditure of Rs. 1,60,000 crore.

NTPC, he said, would thus have an installed generation capacity of about 51,000 MW by 2012 and over 75,000 MW by the end of Twelfth Plan (2012-17) as compared to its current capacity of 26,194 MW. Mr Sankaralingam disclosed that by December next year, NTPC would commence coal production from one of the eight mines allocated to it and that it was also scouting for acquiring coal mines abroad as part of its overall efforts to ensure security in fuel supplies.

As a short-term measure, the NTPC, Mr. Sankarlingam said, had been buying natural gas from the spot markets to operate its gas-fired plants, while for the long term, the company is exploring opportunities for participation in the gas value chain, including exploration and production. Giving details about the power projects under construction, Mr. Sankaralingam said NTPC was working on units accounting for a total capacity of more than 11,000 MW. This apart, projects totalling 3120 MW were under orders, 3980 MW under tendering and another 11,311 MW under study or approval. NTPC, he said, had also taken up three integrated coal mining and power projects accounting for a total capacity of 10,400 MW. Its generation portfolio would also have a higher share of hydel power capacity at 9,000 MW by 2017. Referring to nuclear power, Mr. Sankaralingam noted that it was a good option from a long-term perspective. NTPC, he said, was in dialogue with the Government for setting up a nuclear project.

Mr. Sankaralingam said that the company earned a total revenue of Rs. 28,750.70 crore during 2005-06 and a net profit of Rs. 5,820.20 crore and declared a total dividend of 28 per cent. In the first quarter this fiscal, its revenues totalled Rs. 7,790.50 crore, while its net profit stood at Rs. 1,552.80 crore.

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