The Indian power sector is witnessing several changes in the business and regulatory environment. The legal and policy framework has changed substantially with the enactment of the Electricity Act 2003. In the foreseeable future, India faces formidable challenges in meeting its energy needs. Recently, a draft integrated energy policy has been issued, which addresses all aspects including energy security, access, availability, affordability, pricing, efficiency and environment. To meet the twin objectives of ensuring availability of electricity to consumers at competitive rates, as well as attract large private investments in the sector, a new Tariff policy has also been issued. The power sector thus offers a mixed bag of challenges and opportunities to players and NTPC would continue to review its business strategy and portfolio in light of these changes. 

Growth of the Generation Business

Developing and operating world-class power stations is NTPC’s core competence. Its scale of operation, financial strength and large experience serve to provide an advantage over competitors. To meet the objective of making available reliable and quality power at competitive prices, NTPC would continue to speedily implement projects and introduce state-of-art technologies.

India’s generation capacity can be expected to grow from the current levels of about 120 GW to about 225-250 GW by 2017. NTPC currently accounts for about 20% of the country’s installed capacity and almost 60% of the total installed capacity in the Central sector in the country. Going forward, in its target to remain the largest generating utility of India, NTPC would endeavour to maintain or improve its share of India’s generating capacity. Towards this end, NTPC would target to build an overall capacity portfolio of over 66,000 MW by 2017. 

Currently, coal has a dominant share in the power generation capacities in India. This is also reflected in the high share of coal-based capacities in NTPC’s current portfolio. With high uncertainties involved in Domestic gas/ LNG, both in terms of availability and prices, NTPC would continue to set up large pit-head coal based projects, including few integrated coal cum power projects. To reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, there is a need to push for renewable sources of power in the sector. NTPC would avail of opportunities to add hydropower to its portfolio subject to competitive tariffs. A first step in this direction has already been taken with the investment in Koldam Hydro Power Project. NTPC would continue to closely monitor developments on nuclear front also and be open to setting up around 2000 MW of Nuclear power generation capacity, possibly through a Joint Venture. As a leader in power generation, NTPC would also consider other energy sources such as biomass, cogeneration, fuel cells, etc for future development thereby reducing the dependence on thermal fuels.

While a decision on the fuel/energy mix for NTPC in the future would be largely governed by their relative tariff-competitiveness, the fuel mix in 2017 may be different from the existing portfolio, though not very significantly.

NTPC has achieved the distinction of being the largest thermal generating company in India. In the past, this focus was adequate as the industry was highly regulated with limited diversification opportunities. Over last few years, the country has been facing acute shortages, both in coal and gas, severely affecting optimum utilisation of its power stations and these shortages are likely to continue in future as well. This is in spite of the fact that India is one of the largest producers of coal in the World. To safeguard its competitive advantage in power generation business, NTPC has moved ahead in diversifying its portfolio to emerge as an integrated power major, with presence across entire energy value chain. In fact, to symbolise this change, NTPC has taken on a new identity and a new name “NTPC Limited”. NTPC has recently diversified into coal mining business primarily to secure its fuel requirements and support its aggressive capacity addition program. In addition, NTPC is also giving thrust on diversification in the areas of power trading and distribution. Diversification would also allow NTPC to offer new growth opportunities to its employees while leveraging their skills to capitalise on new opportunities in the sector.

To become a truly global company serving global markets, it is essential for NTPC to establish its brand equity in overseas markets. NTPC would continue to focus on offering Engineering & Project Management Services, Operations & Maintenance services, and Renovation & Modernization services in the international market.

Establishing a successful services brand would be a precursor to taking higher investment decisions in different markets. Going forward, NTPC would continue to evaluate various options for strengthening its presence in global markets including setting up power generation capacity, acquisition of gas blocks etc.

By the year 2017, NTPC would have successfully diversified its generation mix, diversified across the power value chain and entered overseas markets. As a result NTPC would have altered its profile significantly. Elements of the revised profile that NTPC would seek to achieve are:

• Amongst top five market capitalisation in the Indian market
• An Indian MNC with presence in many countries
• Diversified utility with multiple businesses
• Setting benchmarks in project construction and plant availability & efficiency
• Preferred employer
• Have a strong research and technology base
• Loyal customer base in both bulk and retail supply
• A leading corporate citizen with a keen focus on executing its social responsibility