NTPC Seeks to Secure Imported Coal Supply, Invites Bids

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources India (Delhi, India)--Amid an ongoing coal supply shortfall in India's public sector, power major NTPC Limited (BSE: 532555) (New Delhi) has invited bids from global coal suppliers to meet the imported coal requirements for its 12 thermal power plants. The company floated four separate tenders to import a total of 7 million tons of coal in the first phase to meet blending requirements for imported and domestic coal for its power stations.

NTPC is likely to come up with more tenders in the coming months to import an additional 8 million tons of coal by March next year. The company plans to import 15 million tons of coal during the current financial year.

According to the coal import tenders issued by the power firm, a supply of about 2.25 million tons of coal is required for the Talcher, Kaniha, Farakka, Kahalgaon and Barh power plants. The company's Simhadri and Ramagundam projects would require another 2.05 million tons of coal, while the Rihand and Vindhyachal power plants need a supply of 1.15 million tons. Three other projects at Dadri, Sipat and Mouda would require 1.55 million tons. NTPC imported more than 10 million tons of coal during the financial year ended March 2014.

NTPC is the largest power-generation firm in the country, with an installed capacity of 43,019 MW. Out of the total, more than 37,000 MW is coal based. The company plans to add another 14,000 MW by 2017 and reach an installed power generating capacity of 128,000 MW by 2032.

NTPC is primarily engaged in thermal power generation from coal and gas. The company has 17 coal-based and seven gas-based stations located across the country. The company has also diversified into hydropower generation, coal mining, power trading, oil and gas exploration, power equipment manufacturing and power distribution to emerge as an integrated power major.

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