Top NTPC sources told The Financial Express that the list of projects which have been shortlised for capacity addition include Vindhyachal-II (Madhya Pradesh-1,000mw), Unchahar-II (Uttar Pradesh-420mw), Kayamkulam (Kerala-350 mw), Faridabad (Harayana-400mw) and Simhadri (Andhra Pradesh-1,000mw). Other projects to be fructified during the same period include Talcher-II, Kawas-II, Anta-II and Jhanor-II (Gandhar).

The approved outlay for 1998-99 for capital schemes of NTPC will be Rs 2,796.72 crore which comprises Rs 1,974.52 crore for approved and ongoing projects, Rs 719.15 crore for unapproved new projects and Rs 102.45 crore for renovation and modernisation schemes.

The projects to be undertaken after theNinth Plan include Talcher (1,500 mw), Sipat-I (MP-2,000mw), Rihand-II (UP-1,000mw), Ramagundam-III (AP-500mw), south Chennai, Cheyyur (Tamil Nadu-1,000 mw), Kawas-III (Gujarat-650mw), Gandhar-III (Gujarat-650mw), Kahalgaon-II (Bihar-1,500 mw), Kayamkulam-III (Kerala-1,700mw), Vindhyachal-III (MP-1,000mw) and NCTPP Dadri-III (UP-500mw).

NTPC has also decided to establish a 1,000mw gas-based combined cycle power project in Bangladesh at a sustainable location through the joint venture route. Moreover, NTPC has already signed a memorandum of understanding with ONGC for setting up of a liquid fuel based 300mw power plant in joint venture at Hazira, Gujarat.

NTPC has initiated measures for identifying hydro projects and as a first step, it has already started detailed assessment of some selected projects in upper reaches of Uttar Pradesh. It has shortlisted three sites for wind power projects in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

NTPC sources said that the company has generated 106.20 billion units during 1997-98 ascompared to 99.158 billion units. NTPC has contributed 31.63 per cent of all India thermal generation and 25.3 per cent of the total power generated in the country.

The coal-based stations, barring those in the eastern region, achieved a plant load factor (PLF) of 85.3 per cent against a national average of 64.7 per cent. Amongst NTPC stations, Ramagundam achieved the highest PLF of 89.1 per cent followed by NCTPP Dadri 87.1 per cent, Rihand 86 per cent, Korba 85.3 per cent, Singrauli 84.9 per cent and Unchahar 80.1 per cent.

NTPC's coal and gas stations lost 9.638 million units on account of backing down due to grid restrictions and low system demands. The coal stations lost 6.3 per cent PLF due to backing down in 1997-98 as compared to 3 per cent last year.