NTPC raises concern over fuel scarcity, environmental hurdles

New Delhi: NTPC today expressed concerns over fuel shortages, environmental hurdles and other issues plaguing the sector which are also restricting the company's growth targets.

NTPC chairman and managing director Arup Roy Choudhury, however, said sound financials and strong fundamentals will ensure further growth for the company.

Addressing employees on the occasion of NTPC's 37th Raising Day in New Delhi, Choudhury said he was looking forward to their participation to meet the challenges and achieve a generation capacity of 1,28,000 MW by 2032.[caption id="attachment_518281" align="alignleft" width="380"] Power production of woes. Reuters[/caption]

The state-run major has an installed generation capacity of 39,174 MW.

Choudhury raised concerns over "inadequate and quality of fuel supply, rising cost of generation, development of mines, delay in land acquisition and environmental clearances plaguing the sector, which were (also) restricting NTPC's growth targets".

His comments come at a time when the power sector is grappling with acute coal scarcity besides persisting differences between power producers and Coal India.

More from Business

The NTPC chief said that robust growth has translated into sound financials and its prudent management has ensured that the company's fundamentals "remain strong and are leveraged for further growth and higher returns".

He said that NTPC had overcome the perception of slow capacity addition by adding record capacity in last two years.

According to him, many steps such as optimising plant layouts and continuous improvement in the design of various components of projects, are yielding good results.

NTPC operates 16 coal-fired plants besides seven running on gas/liquid fuel. It also has seven joint venture/subsidiary power stations.

PTI