NTPC scouts for partners to set up cement plants

NTPC is looking for strategic partners to set up cement plants near its coal-based power stations to utilise fly ash.
Firms can submit their expression of interest to set up cement plant, cement clinker griding unit, cement blending unit or allied products manufacturing unit in or adjacent to NTPC power plants on 'build, own and operate' or joint venture mode, the state-run power producer said in a notice.
The proposals have to be submitted by March 10, 2017.
The interested players would have to set up cement plants with capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum or higher.
NTPC produces about 65 million tonnes of ash annually, out of which 80 per cent is fly ash.

Presently, this ash is being utilised in land development, ash dyke raising, road/rail embankments, brick/blocks/tile industries and cement industries, among others.

NTPC Group is India's largest energy conglomerate with installed capacity of 48 GW comprising 45 power stations (19 coal-based stations, 7 combined cycle gas/liquid fuel-based, 1 hydro-based), 9 joint venture stations (8 coal based and one gas based) and 9 renewable energy projects.
With 19 coal-based stations, NTPC is the largest thermal power generating company in the country. The company has coal-based installed capacity of 35,885 MW.
A senior official added the company is also exploring the possibility of converting some of its coal plants into LNG (gas)-based in view of rising concerns over pollution, particularly in case of Dadri and Badarpur plants.

However, he said converting a coal-based plant into LNG- based station would be a long drawn process. Moreover, gas based power cannot be as cheap as coal based electricity, he added.