NTPC Limited, India’s largest power utility, has released its key performance highlights for the quarter and half-year ended 30 September 2024, showcasing significant changes in installed capacity, energy generation, and efficiency metrics.
Key Performance Highlights:
A. Increase in Installed / Commercial Capacity
- Installed Capacity (NTPC Group): As of September 30, 2024, NTPC’s installed capacity increased to 76,443 MW, up by 2,619 MW from the same period in 2023.
- Commercial Capacity (NTPC Group): The commercial capacity also rose to 76,443 MW, marking a similar increase of 2,619 MW.
The capacity growth is driven by the commissioning of multiple projects, including a 660 MW unit at North Karanpura, units in Telangana, and renewable energy projects such as NTPC’s NREL (470 MW) and NGEL (139 MW).
B. Gross Generation / Energy Sent Out
- Gross Generation: For Q2 FY25, NTPC reported a gross generation of 88.463 BU, down by 1.83 BU (or 2.03%) compared to Q1 FY25. The six-month gross generation stood at 186.349 BU, up 4.19% YoY.
- Energy Sent Out: Energy sent out was 82.227 BU for Q2 FY25, down by 1.88 BU (or 2.25%) compared to the previous quarter. On a YoY basis, energy sent out for the six months ended September 2024 grew by 4.48% to 173.544 BU.
C. Plant Load Factor (PLF) Data
- PLF for NTPC (Coal): PLF for coal-based plants was 72.78% in Q2 FY25, down by 3.55% from Q2 FY24. However, it still remained robust at 76.33% for the six months ended September 2024.
- PLF for NTPC (Gas): PLF for gas-based plants fell significantly to 7.67%, down by 11.48% YoY.
- PLF for NTPC (Hydro): Small hydro plants saw a sharp decline, with the PLF dropping from 59.76% to 27.85%, a decrease of 31.91%.
D. Plant Availability Factor (PAF)
- PAF for Coal: Coal plants maintained a high availability factor at 84.93% in Q2 FY25, though it declined from 90.12% YoY.
- PAF for Hydro: The hydro plants had an impressive PAF of 104.01%, maintaining reliability and performance.
E. Coal Production and Supply
- NTPC produced 9.03 MMT of coal from its captive mines, up by 61.54% QoQ. For the first half of FY25, total coal production stood at 18.67 MMT, a 57.82% YoY increase.
- Imported Coal Supply: Domestic coal supply was robust at 155.88 MMT, while imported coal stood at 1.74 MMT.
F. Gas Consumption
- Total gas consumption declined significantly by 54.57% QoQ, falling to 2.05 MMSCMD in Q2 FY25 from 4.53 MMSCMD in the previous quarter.
G. Average Tariff
- The average tariff for the six months ended September 30, 2024, stood at ₹4.67, up by 1.30% from ₹4.61 in the same period last year.
NTPC’s operational performance in Q2 FY25 reflects its strategic expansion in renewable energy and coal production, coupled with the successful commissioning of new capacity. However, challenges remain in gas-based plant utilization and hydro power generation, which saw declines in efficiency. Despite this, the company’s overall energy output and strong coal production underpin its continued dominance in the Indian power sector.
