NTPC in expansion mode in South

NTPC Limited is on a major expansion of its generation capacity in the southern region with first of the three 800 MW units at the Kudgi project in Karnataka and 200 MW of solar power generation at NP Kunta in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh to be operational by March. 

NTPC has an operating capacity of 6,465 MW and is working on 9,000 MW capacity in the South, including two 4,000 MWeach in Telangana and AP, 1,000 MWof solar and another 2,400 MWin Karnataka.

In an exclusive interaction with BusinessLine, R Venkateswaran, Executive Director of NTPC Southern Region, explained, "The first unit of 800 MW at Kudgi, which envisages a total installed of 2,400 MW (3x800) will be commissioned by March and the next two units within six months gap each. This will add to the southern capacity and ease up the power supply situation in South partially."

Venkateswaran, said, "Work on several projects has been taken up simultaneously in the South and these include 1,600 MW thermal power project at Ramagundam in Telangana, and setting up of a Greenfield 4,000 MW (4x1000 MW) coal fired thermal power project at Pudimadaka in Andhra Pradesh."

Explaining the current status, Venkateswaran said, "NTPC has secured environmental clearance for the 1,600 MW at Ramagundam, where we have 2,600 MW of installed capacity. Orders have been placed for main plant equipment, boilers etc., and January 29 has become the Zero Date. The Environmental Impact Assessment studies are being conducted for the balance 2,400 MW (3 unit of 800 MW). Once all these units are installed, the Ramagundam project will have total capacity of 2,600 MW plus 4,000 MW, and become the largest single location plant when completed."

Pudimadaka

"We are working on the 4,000 MW (4x1000) thermal power project at Pudimadaka in AP. The environment studies have been completed and minor clearances are awaited. We are considering developing a jetty to transport coal and looking at using the blended imported and domestic coal. We are in discussions with the state government," he said.

NTPC is working on two major solar parks in Andhra Pradesh of 1,000 MW each in Anantapur and Kurnool. Of the 1,000 MW plant at NP Kunta in Anantapur, 200 MW will be ready by March and 50 MW by April. And 750 MW will be awarded soon.

"Another 1,000 MW solar park has been awarded under the National Solar Mission at Kurnool. In addition, we are looking at another 500 MW park in Kadapa," he explained.

Andamans

NTPC has set up a 5 MW solar farm in Port Blair and has been called upon to set up a 100 MW solar park in Andamans. In the phase one, 50 MW will be set up and another 50 MW in phase II.