NTPC to create 5000 MW of solar within two years

• 9 years ago (2015-04-08)
• Junior Isles

North America 1004 Renewables 757

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The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India's state-run power generator, is aiming to develop 5000 MW of solar power capacity in the next two years, which is a third of its 15 000 MW target over the next seven years in India. This target represents a fifty-fold increase from the current levels of solar capacity.

NTPC chairman and managing director, Arup Roy Choudhury, said: "In two years, we'll do 5000 MW of solar power from 95 MW now. Only if states are willing to buy it from us we'll put solar, else not.”

This follows the announcement by the Union Cabinet, giving the nod to NTPC to develop the planned 15 000 MW in three tranches. Phase one would see a 'bundling' of solar and thermal power to help keep costs down.

Choudhury stated that NTPC will only set up solar plants after signing power purchase agreements (or PPAs) with states.

NTPC has a capacity of 44 398 MW, which accounts for 17 per cent of the country's total power generation capacity of 255 013 MW.