NTPC scouting for nuclear plant land in 16 states

NEW DELHI: State-run NTPC is scouting for land in 16 states for setting up nuclear power plants as the country's largest thermal power producer prepares for life without coal and contribute towards the national net-zero goal, reports Sanjay Dutta.The move comes ahead of a govt plan to amend the Atomic Energy Act and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 to facilitate entry of foreign players and technology partners."Coal (use for generation) will end some day. NTPC wants to reduce dependence on fossil fuels as it expands generation capacity to 150 GW (gigawatts) by 2032 for meeting future demand. At the same time, the company also wants to contribute to govt's goal of achieving 100 GW atomic energy capacity by 2047," a person in the know said.Being the country's largest power producer, the company wants to contribute 30 GW, or roughly a third of govt's nuclear power target. This will require an estimated investment of about $62 billion.NTPC is hopeful of getting land for at least 5-6 plants. The company wants to build plants independently and will focus on large plants with conventional capacities ranging between 1,500 MW and above.