NTPC to acquire Badarpur power station for Rs 408 cr

New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will acquire for Rs 408 crore the three generation units of the Badarpur Thermal Power Station (BTPS) which have a total installed capacity of 720 MW and a plant load factor (PLF) of about 85 per cent.

The decision on bifurcation of BTPs and the transfer of the generation units to NTPC was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, an official spokesperson told reporters.

The asset holding unit of BTPS will, however, be retained by the Centre till a decision is taken on the settlement of the dues from Delhi Eletric Supply Undertaking (DESU), which has been unbundled following the privatisation of power distribution in the capital.

NTPC will pay within 100 days of the transfer of BTPS generation units a sum of Rs 274, which excludes the liabilities of the BTPS units.

NTPC will also take on lease the 517.08 hectares of BTPS land and pay a lease rent of Rs 5.2 crore a year, representing 10 per cent of the book value of the land.

The Cabinet decision will stop putting further government money to run the power station and facilitate immediate investment by NTPC for renovation and modernisation activities.

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