NTPC to Establish Nuclear Power Project in Bihar, Says CMD Gurdeep Singh

NTPC, a leading power giant in India, has unveiled its plans to set up a nuclear power project in Bihar as part of its strategy to diversify its energy portfolio. This move is aimed at bolstering NTPC’s commitment to expanding its non-fossil energy capacity and contributing to the country’s energy needs in the future. The company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Gurdeep Singh, highlighted the importance of nuclear energy for the energy sector in the coming decades and outlined the potential benefits for both NTPC and the state of Bihar.

Key Points

NTPC’s Nuclear Plans

• NTPC has expressed plans to establish a nuclear power project in Bihar. The company has approached the state government for land allocation to proceed with the project.

Future of Nuclear Energy

• NTPC’s CMD Gurdeep Singh emphasized that nuclear energy will play a critical role in the energy sector in the next 20-30 years, positioning NTPC as a key player in the growing nuclear energy landscape.

Joint Venture Involvement

• The project is backed by NTPC’s joint venture, Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam Ltd (ASHVINI), a partnership between NTPC (49%) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) (51%). ASHVINI is authorized to build, own, and operate nuclear power plants in India.

Study and Planning

• Before moving forward, NTPC will conduct a study to evaluate the viability of setting up the nuclear power plant in Bihar.

Diversified Renewable Energy Interests

• In addition to nuclear energy, NTPC is exploring renewable energy options such as rooftop solar, ground-mounted solar, floating solar, pumped storage, and battery storage solutions in Bihar. 
• The company aims to have a major share of its 60,000 MW renewable energy target in Bihar by 2032.

Installed Capacity in Bihar

• NTPC has an existing installed capacity of 8,850 MW in Bihar, with an investment of approximately Rs 80,000 crore in the state.

Battery Storage Plans

• NTPC is also considering setting up battery storage systems of around 3,000-4,000 MWh in Bihar to enhance energy storage capabilities and provide stable, reliable power.

NPGCL’s Power Project

• Nabinagar Power Generating Company Ltd (NPGCL), a subsidiary of NTPC, is already working on a 2,400 MW power project in Bihar.

NTPC’s Overall Capacity

• As of now, NTPC has an installed capacity of 76,531 MW, which includes a mix of thermal, solar, wind, and other power generation sources.