NEW DELHI: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is ready to make foray into nuclear energy generation and hopes to put in place a nuclear plant of 2,000 MW capacity by 2010-11. The company is targeting to increase power generation capacity to 50,000 MW by 2012 and 75,000 MW by 2017 from the present 26,000 MW, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, T. Sankaralingam, said here on Thursday.

Addressing the company's annual press conference here, Mr. Sankaralingam said NTPC was in talks with nuclear power equipment manufacturers for acquiring the necessary technology and knowhow. A lot would depend on the outcome of the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal that was now under negotiations, he added.

No threat to BHEL

The NTPC Chairman said the company had adopted a multi-pronged strategy to increase capacity. This included expansion of existing plants, setting up of greenfield units and acquiring power plants of State electricity boards. Mr. Sankaralingam said the company's foray into manufacture of power equipment would not pose a direct threat to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), stating that the demand for equipment was huge.

Enters hydel power

The company, which now generates all of its electricity from coal, was also foraying into hydropower generation. Mr. Sankaralingam said NTPC had recorded a 15.57 per cent jump in net profit at Rs. 6,726.40 crore in 2006-07 as against Rs. 5,820.20 crore in the previous fiscal. Net sales rose by 17.20 per cent to Rs. 30,638.7 crore from Rs. 26, 142.9 crore. Gross revenue increased by 15.81 per cent to Rs. 33,299.70 crore from Rs. 28,753 crore.

The Chairman said NTPC, which is one of the promoters of Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private Limited (RGPPL), was keen to acquire the LNG terminal associated with the project. The company was ready to infuse Rs. 500 crore into the cash-starved RGPPL for the purpose.

"The board has cleared the infusion of Rs. 500 crore into RGPPL. We will do so as and when the government expects us to do that,'' NTPC Director (Operations), Chandan Roy, told newsmen on the sidelines of the press conference.

Mr. Roy said NTPC was keen to acquire the five-million tonne liquefied natural gas terminal linked with the 2,150 MW Dabhol power plant.

NTPC's statement comes close on the heels of another RGPPL promoter Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) stating recently that it was willing to infuse Rs. 500 crore into RGPPL, provided it was given the LNG terminal. NTPC and GAIL had put in Rs. 500 crore into RGPPL to acquire 28.33 per cent each at the time of taking over Dabhol assets.

The Empowered Group of Ministers on Dabhol was likely to meet on April 11 to take a decision on the issue, he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail