A recent report by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) states that renewable energy procurers, mainly state-owned distribution companies, owe over Rs.8,200 crore to power producers in the renewable energy space—solar, wind, small hydropower, etc. As of July 31, 2019, outstanding dues amounted to Rs.8,231 crore, the report states.
Last week, NTPC announced that it has taken over a stressed power generation plant owned by the Bihar state government. The Central utility also announced that it has acquired full control of two joint ventures, in which Bihar government had equity stake. The two joint ventures are Nabinagar Power Generating Company Pvt Ltd and Kanti Bijli Utpadan Nigam Ltd.
India’s supercritical power generation capacity crossed 38 GW as of December 31, 2016, according to statistics released by Central Electricity Authority. It is interesting to note that independent power producers (IPP) had the maximum share of this capacity. Nearly 75 per cent of this capacity, corresponding to 28,550 mw, was built by IPPs with government utilities having a very small share. Central PSUs—mainly NTPC—accounted for 12.4 per cent of this capacity while state government entities had a comparable share of around 13 per cent.
NTPC recently realized its cherished dream of producing coal from its own mines. The first rake carrying coal left the Pakri-Barwadih (PB) mine in Jharkhand for NTPC’s Barh thermal power project in Bihar, on February 16, 2017. However, it has been a very long journey for NTPC—13 years.
