NTPC scouting for land for N-plant in 16 states

NEW DELHI: State-run NTPC is scouting for land in 16 states for setting up nuclear power plants as the country’s largest thermal power producer prepares for life without coal and contribute towards the national net-zero goal.

The move comes ahead of a government move to amend the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 to facilitate entry of foreign p[layers and technology partners.

“Coal (use for generation) will end some day. NTPC wants to reduce dependence on fossil fuels as it expands generation capacity to 150 GW (gigawatts) by 2032 for meeting future demand. At the same time, the company also wants to contribute to the government’s goal of achieving 100 GW atomic energy capacity by 2047,” a person in the know said on Wednesday.

Being the country’s largest power producer, the company wants to contribute 30 GW, or roughly a third of the government’s nuclear power target. This will require an estimated investment of about $62 billion.

NTPC is hopeful of getting land for at least 5-6 plants, which will have to be approved by the atomic energy regulator. The company wants to build plants independently and will focus on large plants with conventional capacities ranging between 1,500 MW and above.

The company is looking to buy nuclear reactors in bulk to drive costs down. It prefers the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) technology because of its cost advantage over alternatives. But the company is also talking to technology providers for collaboration.

In September, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a 2,800 MW nuclear project at Banswara in Rajasthan, to mark NTPC’s entry in the arena. The project is being constructed in joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, in which NTPC holds 49%.

India currently has a nuclear generation capacity of 8,180 MW, accounting for about 2% of the country’s total installed capacity and 3% of generation.