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NTPC plan aims to generate 30,000 mw of power

The National Thermal Power Corporation has set a target of doubling its generation capacity in the next decade.

The NTPC, one of the navratna public sector under takings which were granted autonomy a month ago, has a long-term corporate plan to make itself a 30,000 mw-plus company by the end of the Tenth Plan, corporation Chairman Rajendra Singh said in New Delhi on Friday.

He said the power generation capacity of the company stood at 16,795 mw and another 6,270 mw would be added during the Ninth Plan.

Giving details of the achievements of the company in various sectors, Singh said that NTPC contributed nearly one-fourth of the total power generation in the country with only 19.8 per cent of generating capacity.

Singh said that NTPC has made considerable progress in recovering its dues. Today, it stood at about 95 per cent, though the outstanding and surcharge stood at Rs 56.17 billion.

The chairman said the company has prepared a long term plan of 15 years up to the year 2012, which seeks to integrate the company's vision, mission and strategies for growth alongside the national plans.

He said the new projects for capacity addition during the Ninth Plan include Vindhyachal 2, (1000 mw) and Simhadri (1000 mw). This also includes Gandhar 2, Kawas 2, Anta 2 and Auraiya 2 (all 650 mw).

The Tenth Plan programme of capacity addition includes Seepat (2000 mw), Talcher 2 (915 mw), South Madras, Rihand 2, and Vindhayachal 3 (1000 mw each).

A joint venture company, namely the Utility Power Tech Ltd promoted by the NTPC and the Bombay Suburban Electricity Supply, has become operational, he said.

The chairman said the approved outlay for 1997-98 for capital schemes of the NTPC is Rs 21.23 billion, consisting of Rs 13.43 billion for approved and ongoing schemes and Rs 7.8 billion toward new and miscellaneous schemes.

Singh said NTPC has utilised Rs 134.22 billion (cumulative) up to end of the previous financial year. This includes the World Bank assistance of about Rs 55.59 billion and other external assistance of about Rs 43.36 billion in addition to direct commercial borrowings of Rs 35.27 billion.

UNI