The Centre’s decision to sell its stakes in hydropower majors NEEPCO and THDC to state-run power giant NTPC Ltd may cost the latter between Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 crore, but will likely add a couple of hundred crore rupees to its annual net profit. Analysts also note the acquisition will also go a long way in helping NTPC achieve its ambitious plans for renewable energy capacity addition.
NEEPCO and THDC have nearly 3 GW of operational capacity combined, of which 2.3 GW is from hydropower projects. Another 2 GW worth of projects are already in the construction phase and analysts note that this would help NTPC avoid some capital expenditure on renewable capacity creation.
