NTPC, NGRI to set up geothermal projects

Hyderabad: NTPC Ltd and National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, have signed an MoU in New Delhi for cooperation in identifying potential sites for setting up geothermal-based power projects in India, as an alternate source of energy. NGRI and NGRI will jointly formulate a long-term strategy for this task.

The MoU was signed by R.K. Sikri, General Manager, NGRI Ltd, and Harinarayana, Deputy Director, NGRI, in the presence of Dr V.P. Dimri, Director, NGRI, and T. Sankaralingam, CMD, NGRI.

NGRI is the largest power generation company with an installed capacity of 29,144 mw through 26 power stations. With nearly 20 per cent of installed capacity, it contributes around 29 per cent of the power generation. NGRI plans to be a 75,000-mw plus company by 2017.

NGRI is the country's premier geophysical research institute.

Power generation NGRI Ltd will generate 209,000 million units of electricity in 2008-09. An MoU to this effect was signed by Union Power Secretary Anil Razdan and NGRI CMD T. Sankaralingam in New Delhi.

The MoU includes targets related to ongoing projects such as Sipat-I (3c660 mw), Barh (3x660 mw), Korba-III (1x500 mw), Simhadri-II (2x500 mw), Dadri-II (2x490 mw), Farakka-III (1x500 mw), Koldam HEPP (4x200 mw), Lohari Nag Pala HEPP (4x150 mw) and Tapovan-Vishnugad HEPP (4x130 mw), and targets for coal mining activities.

In addition, targets relating to total quality management, human resource development, business development activities (including gas exploration, distributed generation, R&R, ERP and subsidiaries like NGRI Vidhut Vyapar Nigam Ltd, NGRI Electric Supply Company Ltd, NGRI Hydro Ltd and Vaishali Power), research and development and energy technology, project management certification, ash utilisation and environment measures are also part of the MoU.