NTPC will commission the first unit of Stage-II expansion project of Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station by March 2011.
Regional Executive Director (South) Ambarish Nath Dave told reporters here on Thursday that the expansion work taken up to double the capacity of the project to 2,000 MW would be completed by the end of 2011-12.
Two units of 500 MW each in the first phase were synchronised in 2002. Simhadri, the first shore-based power plant, is adding two more units each with 500 MW by investing around Rs.5,000 crore.
Mr. Dave said the power generated from the second phase would be supplied to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. As per the memorandum of understanding signed with the Ministry of Power, Andhra Pradesh will get 35 per cent of the power.
To a question, he said acquisition of land near the Simhadri project for Hinduja National Power Corporation's power plant would not in any way hit the former's expansion plans in future.
Stating that NTPC had adopted super critical boilers for the upcoming greenfield projects during the XII Plan, he said it was carrying out various programmes in the neighbourhood of the Simhadri project as part of corporate social responsibility.
Mr. Dave said the company was taking all steps to prevent pollution and pointed out that a study conducted by it had ruled out groundwater pollution due to the ash pond. In consultation with the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, another agency would also be engaged to study the issue. He said a health risk assessment study would be conducted in the adjoining villages.
He said NTPC, with an installed capacity of 32,694 MW through 15 coal, seven gas and five joint venture power stations, was on an expansion-spree. The company is gradually diversifying its present fuel mix.
Nearly 17,000 MW is now being added through new and existing plants. He said NTPC was making efforts to increase its capacity to 75,000 MW by 2017 and 1.28 lakh MW by 2032.
General Manager in-charge of Simhadri D. K. Sood and NTPC Additional Manager (HR) U. Lal were present.