NTPC to take up another mega project in South

NTPC Ltd, the country's largest power company with an installed generation capacity of 36,000 MW, continues to expand. It is planning to take up another mega project in South along with the 4,000-MW Kudgi project in Karnataka, during the XII Plan itself instead of the XIII Plan.

With an operating capacity of 4,450 MW in the Southern region, it is executing expansion projects at Simhadri near Visakhapatnam, Ramagundam in Andhra Pradesh, Kudgi in Karnataka, Kayamkulam in Kerala, and is planning another mega project, a 4,000 MW plant at Pudimadaka close to Visakhapatnam.

The Regional Executive Director of NTPC, Mr R. Venkateswaran, toldBusiness Line, “The Andhra Pradesh Government is keen that we take up another mega project near Visakhapatnam. While NTPC was looking at considering this project during XII Plan (2012-17), the keenness shown by the State is encouraging us to consider it ahead of planned schedule.”

Outlining NTPC progress in South, Mr Venkateswaran said supply of coal and gas continues to be worrisome. These require a long-term perspective approach. Excerpts:

How is the expansion plan of NTPC South progressing?

Overall at NTPC, we are looking at increasing the capacity to 1,28,000 MW by 2032 with projects defined for each Plan period. In South, we now have a capacity of about 4,450 MW. We plan to increase this to about 10,000 MW. The expansion projects include, 3x800 MW phase one at Kudgi in Karnataka, another 500 MW expansion, part of the phase II at Simhadri, and 3x500 MW project at Vallur and about 1050 MW at Kayamkulam. We are looking at augmenting two units of 650 MW each at Ramagundam in Andhra Pradesh. This could also be 2x800 MW. A decision on this would be taken up soon.

The Andhra Pradesh Government is encouraging us to expedite another mega project close to Visakhapatanm. There is land and sea water could be used.

The unit one of 500 MW at Vallur is ready. Once coal washery is ready, we would be able to take up generation. The fourth unit of 500 MW at Simhadri is also close to commissioning.

What is your engagement with Singareni Collieries project?

NTPC has been engaged by the Singareni to guide them through the implementation of a 1200-MW thermal power plant in Adilabad. There is no problem for land and water and the coal requirement could be addressed by pithead mines.