Amid heated debate over climate change, India?s largest generator with a total installed capacity of 30,644 mw through 26 power plants has firmed a comprehensive strategy to take on environment challenge.
NTPC sources told FE on Monday that the company aims to reduce CO2 intensity for power generation with portfolio management, efficiency improvement programme, adoption of state of the art technology and special thrust on the renewable energy sources. NTPC?s punchline will be ?going higher on generation, lowering GHG emissions.?
It has already joined hands with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to improve efficiencies to reduce CO2 emissions and also undertaken clean development mechanism initiatives to ensure future reductions in emissions. Sources said the company would allocate 0.5% of distributable profit annually for undertaking/sponsoring research leading to green and clean technologies. The company would develop 1 million square feet of green building space within NTPC premises by 2017.
Moreover, the company would spearhead awareness campaigns nationally to orient people at large to support and contribute to measures for mitigating the effects of climate change.
?NTPC will strenthen and leverage the government?s efforts in mobilising technology and funds for combating climate change and ensuring climate justice for our stakeholders,? sources said.
NTPC has taken a formal decision to take carry out environment impact assessment studies before power project is taken up. In order to carry out effective sound environment management, the company has worked out a design criteria for boilers which ensures SPM emissions below norms. The company is setting up integrated effluent treatment plants, ash water recycling system to reduce effluent discharge.
Moreover, the company plans to have at least 1,000 mw of renewables in its portfolio by 2017. The company is also involved in setting up of off grid distributed generation power projects in villages around NTPC power plants through a self sustaining model. So far 10 such projects have been commissioned based on bionass, solar PV and micro hydel.