NTPC Limited, India’s largest power generation company, emerged with impressive financial results for the September quarter. The state-owned behemoth reported a 14% year-on-year (YoY) growth in its consolidated net profit, standing at a whopping Rs 5,380.25 crore.
This significant uptick in profits comes despite a 0.7% dip in total income, which now stands at Rs 45,197.77 crore, compared to Rs 45,384.64 crore in the same period last year. The average tariff of the company per unit also rose to Rs 4.67 from Rs 4.61.
The power giant’s board of directors approved the first interim dividend of Rs 2.50 per equity share with a face value of Rs 10 for the financial year 2024-25. The dividend will be paid and dispatched on November 18, 2024.
While the gross electricity generation by the company decreased to 88.46 billion units (BU) in the second quarter, its coal output from captive mines showed a significant hike, touching 9.03 million metric tonnes (MMT) in the quarter, up from 5.59 MMT in the same period last year. The production of coal also witnessed a rise, standing at 18.67 MMT as of April-September 2024, up from 11.83 MMT.
Plant load factor (PLF), which measures the capacity utilisation of coal-based thermal power plants, fell to 72.28% in the quarter from 75.83%. Domestic coal supply improved to 54.75 MMT, while imported coal supply stood at 1.13 MMT, down from 1.25 MMT in the same period last year.
The power giant’s reliance on gas consumption also decreased, with gas consumption standing at 2.05 million standard cubic meters per day (MMSCMD) compared to 4.53 MMSCMD in the same period.
As of September 30, the company’s installed power generation capacity stood at 76,443 MW, up from 73,824 MW as of September 2023. The capacity also increased on a standalone basis to 59,168 MW from 57,838 MW.
In a separate development, NTPC announced that it has partnered with the Indian Army to establish a solar hydrogen-based microgrid at Chushul, Ladakh. This project will provide a stable power supply using green hydrogen in off-grid army locations. The move is a significant step towards sustainable energy generation and a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.
