NTPC bids for Libyan power plant deal

The National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC), in an effort to transform itself into a global player, has bid for operation and maintenance of a plant and also a turnkey contract project in Libya, sources close to the development added.

The move is part of NTPC's strategy to have a presence in north African countries. Company officials confirmed the development. Back home, the company added 1000 mw of power generation capacity in 2004, another 7,990 mw was under construction and it hopes to commence additional 5080 mw in 2004-05.

These, according to officials was part of NTPC's plan to emerge as the world's largest and best power utilities, powering India's growth.

Considering multidimensional opportunities in the energy sector, NTPC has firmed up plans of adopting a multi-pronged growth strategy for capacity addition through greenfield sites, expansion of existing stations, takeovers and joint ventures-which would it into a 40,000 MW generation company by 2012.

In addition to the above, NTPC also has plans to venture in areas like renovation and modernization of old power stations through a separate joint venture company, investment in LNG terminal, investment in coal mining and washeries, setting up of power plants abroad, joint ventures for ash-based industries; setting up of small pilot plants using renewable energy sources, setting up of hydel power plants to facilitate techno-economic operation of thermal-hydro mix of NTPC stations.

In addition it has also drawn up plans of setting up associated extra high voltage transmission lines and inter-regional EHV transmission lines so as to ensure evacuation of power from NTPC stations.

NTPC has also very recently awarded work for its 1st Super Critical thermal power unit for Sipat and has decided to revise its targeted power generation capacity addition plan this year.

However, as part of the company's plan to enter into joint venture, it has already readied plans of setting up a joint venture power plant in Sri Lanka and has bid for acquiring a power plant in Lebanon.