NTPC’s coal-based capacity is expected to rise to 52,000 MW by 2017 as it is all set to receive coal supplies from its captive mines. The move which comes after several delays will help the company improve its margins and address the issues of fuel shortage and procurement of good quality coal.

The company's Pakri-Barwadih captive coal block has reached an advanced stage and is expected to start operations by December with a production capacity of 3 million tonne per annum (mtpa).

“We will start getting the first installment of coal from our own mines by December, after which production from the remaining five mines would start flowing in phases,” a company official was quoted in the Financial Express.

After overcoming delays due to statutory hurdles, NTPC appointed the MDO and awarded major packages such as coal handling and construction of R&R colony and a substation yard at Banadag. However, the work at the site was stalled by MLA-led locals in February last year.

With reports of progress, production is expected to begin late in the year. The MDO has also been selected for the other coal blocks, like Chatti-Bariatu, while the process is on for the Kerandari block. The Talaipalli block is proposed to be developed jointly by Singrani Colleries and NTPC. In case of Dulanga, however, land issues need to be resolved.

“We have fast-tracked work on all of our captive blocks. We hope to increase production from them by 12 million tonne each year to reach 40 mt over the next four years, so that 25% of the company's fuel requirements are met through its own mines by 2017,” the official added.