NTPC ties up with NPCIL for N-plan
NTPC's civilian nuclear game plan falling in place
By Debjoy Sengupta & Kalyan Parbat , TNN |
Debjoy Sengupta & Kalyan Parbat
KOLKATA: State-owned NTPC’s nuclear game plan is silently falling in place. The country’s largest power generation company has just decided to promote a 2000 mw nuclear power station in partnership with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
According to a senior company official: “The 2000mw station will comprise four 500 mw units. The project is proposed to be executed during the 12th Plan period.”
If statutory approvals come through, this will be NTPC’s maiden civilian nuclear power venture. NTPC has roped in nuclear experts from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) as consultants for its high-stakes nuclear foray. The AEC is under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The consultants are scheduled to submit their report soon.
When contacted, NTPC’s official spokesperson, declined to comment.
It may be mentioned that NTPC recently sought ‘in-principle approval’ from the DAE to go nuclear in partnership with NPCIL, which is the sole state-owned agency involved in promoting nuclear power ventures.
In this light, Union power ministry circles indicated that NTPC’s bid to go nuclear could entail changes in the company’s Articles of Association (AoA). However, any move to alter the AoA can only be considered after the company receives statutory clearances from the concerned ministries.
Incidentally, the mandate of BARC and AEC experts involves weighing the pros and cons of NTPC going nuclear. They will also examine existing central regulations linked to nuclear generation, explore available technologies, civilian nuclear fuel sources and safety systems/standards at nuclear power stations overseas.
At present, the project cost of a nuclear power station is roughly at Rs 5.5 crore per megawatt. And it is learnt that investment in safety systems alone accounts for nearly 25 per cent of total project cost. Which means if the total cost for a 2000 mw nuclear power station is nearly Rs 11,000 crore, the project developer would need to shell out close to Rs 3,000 crore on safety-systems alone.
KOLKATA: State-owned NTPC’s nuclear game plan is silently falling in place. The country’s largest power generation company has just decided to promote a 2000 mw nuclear power station in partnership with Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL).
According to a senior company official: “The 2000mw station will comprise four 500 mw units. The project is proposed to be executed during the 12th Plan period.”
If statutory approvals come through, this will be NTPC’s maiden civilian nuclear power venture. NTPC has roped in nuclear experts from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) as consultants for its high-stakes nuclear foray. The AEC is under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). The consultants are scheduled to submit their report soon.
When contacted, NTPC’s official spokesperson, declined to comment.
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Significantly, the latest developments come in the wake of the US House of Representatives passing the 'United States & India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act' on July 26. Successful conclusion of the landmark Indo-US civilian nuke accord is expected to lend impetus to mass greenfield nuclear power capacity creation in India. And NTPC clearly means to make capital of this emerging opportunity in partnership with NPCIL.It may be mentioned that NTPC recently sought ‘in-principle approval’ from the DAE to go nuclear in partnership with NPCIL, which is the sole state-owned agency involved in promoting nuclear power ventures.
In this light, Union power ministry circles indicated that NTPC’s bid to go nuclear could entail changes in the company’s Articles of Association (AoA). However, any move to alter the AoA can only be considered after the company receives statutory clearances from the concerned ministries.
Incidentally, the mandate of BARC and AEC experts involves weighing the pros and cons of NTPC going nuclear. They will also examine existing central regulations linked to nuclear generation, explore available technologies, civilian nuclear fuel sources and safety systems/standards at nuclear power stations overseas.
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The consultants are also slated to make a detailed assessment of prevailing cost structures for implementing nuclear projects in India and overseas markets. For instance, they will specifically look at specifc cost-components relating to safety systems and nuclear fuel.At present, the project cost of a nuclear power station is roughly at Rs 5.5 crore per megawatt. And it is learnt that investment in safety systems alone accounts for nearly 25 per cent of total project cost. Which means if the total cost for a 2000 mw nuclear power station is nearly Rs 11,000 crore, the project developer would need to shell out close to Rs 3,000 crore on safety-systems alone.
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