NTPC to soon start coal production in Jharkhand

New Delhi: The country's largest power producer, NTPC will soon start coal production from its mine in Jharkhand. The production is slated for the mid 2009.

The company hopes to achieve a coal production target of 15 million tpa by 2012. The Union Government has so far allotted seven coal blocks to NTPC.

It may be mentioned that NTPC has ventured into the coal mining business with an aim to meet about 20 per cent of its fuel requirement from its captive mines by 2017.

The company's total coal requirement during 2009-10 is estimated at 150 million tonnes, of which Coal India and its subsidiaries would provide 130-132 million tonnes and the remaining would be met through imports.

NTPC plans to import 12.5 million tonnes of fuel in the current fiscal. It is also acquiring coal mines in Indonesia and Mozambique for sourcing the dry fuel. It will soon appoint a consultant for the due diligence of those blocks.