NTPC on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to set up thermal power projects of 1,320 MW in the neighbouring country. The outlay on the coal-fired power plants to be set up at Chittagong and Khulna is estimated at Rs.13,200 crore. The plants are likely to be installed on a 50:50 equity basis.
NTPC will provide training and development to human resources of BPDB and enhancement of productivity and efficiency of the latter's existing power stations. The entire projects are subject to techno-economic viability.
The MoU was signed by BPDP Chief Engineer (Generation) Mohammed Abdul Quasem and NTPC Consultancy Wing General Manager A. K. Sharma in the presence of Bangladesh's High Commission Tariq A. Karim, Power Secretary P. Uma Shankar and NTPC Chairman R. S. Sharma. Meanwhile, NTPC is indicated that it is planning to pick up stake in two coal mines in Indonesia.
“We are looking at picking up stake in two coal mines in Indonesia — East Kalimanthan and Sumatra — Mr. Sharma told reporters.
The company's coal requirement is likely touch 165 million tonnes in 2011-12, of which it may import 12-15 million tonnes. “we are now using 155 million tonnes of coal. Our requirement is likely to go up 165 million tonnes and NTPC is likely to import 12-15 million tonnes in the next fiscal,'' he added.
NTPC is also looking at directly importing about 60 per cent of its coal requirement of about 15 million tonnes in the next fiscal, instead of sourcing the same from the State Trade Corporation and MMTC. “To import fuel (coal) directly, we have established a fuel import cell and the tender for the same will be floated soon,'' he said.
He said NTPC was looking at acquiring coal blocks in Queensland and North South Wales, Australia, and had identified 2-3 such properties.
