NTPC to build more coal based thermal power plants

17 Apr 2023 , 10:13 AM

Power giant of the country, NTPC is planning to start building more coal plants in the current year as the country continues to lean on the fuel to meet its growing energy needs. The company is likely to award construction orders for about 4.5 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity during the fiscal year that began this month, according to an official aware of the plans. The projects will be built at 3 sites where the utility plants are already run.

NTPC, which last year began building coal plants again after a years-long hiatus, expects to place orders for construction of 1.6 gigawatts of coal power plants each at Lara and Singrauli, as well a 1.32 gigawatts at Meja in Uttar Pradesh during the current fiscal year, the official said.

It is one of the top coal users of India and aims to boost output from its own mines to 34 million tons this fiscal year, a 48% increase from the previous year, according to the official.

According to the officials, the company is laying the groundwork for adding more carbon-free energy. At Pudimadaka, a coastal site in the state of Andhra Pradesh that was once meant to be home to a 4 gigawatt coal power plant, the company is now planning a green hydrogen hub with renewable generation, electrolyzer manufacturing, and green hydrogen and ammonia production. 

The company is also planning to sell its clean energy unit, NTPC Green Energy Ltd stake through public offering.