 "NTPC to supply 40% more power to UP by 2016-17")
The Maharatna company is now supplying 4,150 Mw to the state from power generated by its thermal power plants in the state. Thus, NTPC would be ramping up power supply by almost 40 per cent to Uttar Pradesh. The additional allocation to the state will come from new NTPC units in the state totalling 3,648 Mw.
Yadav has promised to provide 22 hours and 16 hours of uninterrupted power supply in urban and rural areas, respectively, by 2016-17. The state faces massive power deficit of nearly 3,000 Mw during peak hours.
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“We have major presence in UP and it would remain our focus area,” NTPC Regional Executive Director (North) Saptarshi Roy told Business Standard here. NTPC northern region thermal plants generate 10,775 Mw at its five thermal power plants spread over UP (Singrauli 2,015 Mw, Rihand 3,000 Mw, Unchahar 1,060 Mw, Tanda 44 Mw) and Madhya Pradesh (Vindhyachal 4,260 Mw).
Besides, the company has set up two solar power plants in Singrauli (15 Mw) and Unchahar (10 Mw). NTPC is setting up three power plants in Unchahar, Tanda and Bilhaur in UP, for which the company has either acquired or in the process of acquiring 2,000 acres. “Land acquisition is a national-level issue and a challenge for any power producer. However, we have not faced any major irritant in our process of land acquisition. Besides, NTPC already had land available in Unchahar,” he said.
Roy conceded NTPC plants had faced problems in coal linkages, however, it has now been mitigated with cooperation of the central government and agencies.
“We are now looking at expanding our renewable energy portfolio across India with greater thrust on solar and wind energy projects,” Roy added.