Friday, September 15 2006 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: State-run NTPC Ltd is looking at sites in coastal states including Tamil Nadu for its proposed nuclear power project, company Chairman and Managing Director T. Sankaralingam said here today (Sept 15,2006).

Last week Tamil Nadu had offered National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) land for establishing a 2,000 MW nuclear power plant, south of Chennai near Koodankulam. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd is also setting up a power plant with Russian collaboration here.

"We are looking at probable sites in Tamil Nadu and other coastal states where land is available in not very densely populated areas," Sankaralingam told media on the sidelines of a conference organised by the India Energy Forum.

The company has already sought the government approval for its foray into nuclear power generation. The thermal power major has over the last few years ventured into hydropower generation also.

"We are planning to commission 8,000 MW through hydropower by 2017," he said.

The sixth largest thermal power generation company in the world is targeting to become a 50,000 MW power generation company by 2012 and 75,000 MW by 2017, the NTPC chief added.

The NTPC has already placed orders for 14,000 MW equipment to meet the target of adding 22,000 MW capacity in 2007-12 and the order for balance 8,000 MW equipment would be done by 2007 end.

The company has meanwhile decided to put on hold plans for adding additional gas-based generation capacity till it has firmed up long-term supply commitments at competitive rates.

To meet its current shortfall of gas, which is affecting capacity utilisation in five of its gas-based plants, Sankaralingam said, "We are in the tendering process for 35,000 tonnes or 2.5 million standard cubic metres per day (mscmd) liquefied natural gas (LNG) to bridge the supply gap for three months."