Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) India’s largest power generator NTPC Monday said it is considering buying stakes in two Indonesian coal mines this fiscal to secure coal supplies to its plants.
“We are looking at picking up stakes in two coal mines in Indonesia, in East Kalimanthan and Sumatra,” said Chairman and Managing Director R.S. Sharma, adding the coal requirements are likely to go up to 165 million tonnes (MT) from the current 155 MT.

Of the 165 MT, NTPC would import 12-15 million tonnes in the next fiscal, said Sharma.

NTPC’s current generation capacity is a little over 32,000 MW, of which nearly 60 per cent is coal-based. The company is planning to ramp up this capacity to 50,000 MW by March 2012.

According to a report by global advisory firm, KPMG, India may face a coal shortfall of 189 million tonnes per annum by 2015, resulting in a two-fold increase in imports.

The state-run firm has also identified 2-3 coal blocks in Queensland and North South Wales, Australia, for which talks were in progress.

The company Monday signed a preliminary agreement with Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to help build a 1,320 MW coal-based power plant and increase electricity generation in that country.

A memorandum of understanding was signed by Mohd. Abdul Quasem, chief engineer (Generation) of BPDB and A.K. Sharma, general manager, NTPC (Consultancy).

“NTPC may set up a 1,320 MW coal based power plant in Bangladesh in joint venture with BPDB, subject to techno economic viability, for mitigating the power shortage of Bangladesh,” said the company.

NTPC will also provide training and development to human resources of BPDB and work towards enhancing the productivity and efficiency of their existing power plants.