Power major NTPC Ltd., on Thursday said that it is set to add 1500 mw more during the current fiscal, even as it is gearing up to take up a mega project at Kudgi in Karnataka. The corporation now has an installed capacity of 4,450 mw in the South at Ramagundam, Simhadri, Kayamkulam in addition to 2000 mw it receives from the Talcher plant located in Orissa. With the fresh capacity addition, the installed capacity in is poised to go up to 6,000 mw by March next.

The fresh capacity addition will come through second unit of 500 mw at Simhadari, which will make it a superthermal power plant with capacity of 2000 mw, and two units of 500 mw at Vallur in Tamil Nadu, which is being implemented through a joint venture with TN Electricity Board.

Mr.Jayadeb Nanda, who has recently assumed office as Regional Executive Director of NTPC, (South), told Business Line that the Simhadri unit will be ready for commissioning by January 2012 and two units of 500 mw capacity each at Vallur in Tamil Nadu, where a 1500 mw thermal plant is coming up, will also be ready for synchronisation with the grid by March 2012.

“We have signed up power purchase agreements with Southern States for the 4,000 mw thermal plant at Kudgi in Karanatka and are expecting the land allotment of 1900 acres by next quarter this year. In the phase one we will take up 3x800 mw power plant. This will be first thermal plant in South of NTPC under the supercritical technology. Work on other aspects, including suppliers is being finalised,” he said.

“The Kudgi plant will be taken up on a fast track. Various aspects for implementation of the project are now being addressed. Fuel linkage for the project will also be through soon,” he explained.

Mr. Nanda said “NTPC has also signed up with Governments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for a 4,000 mw mega power project near Nakapalli of Visakhapatnam district of the State. However, this will be taken up in the next plan period after receiving all necessary clearances.”

“NTPC is keen to take up expansion in the south as we believe there is increasing demand in the region. As a part of the expansion projects, we are also looking at taking up another two units of 500 mw each at Ramagundam thermal project, which has consistently delivered very high plant load factors. Feasibility studies are now underway for expansion,” he said.

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