NTPC's prospects appear robust, barring seasonal impact in August

THE COMPASS Power generation decelerated 4.7 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to 155 billion units (BU) in August 2024.

- DEVANGSHU DATTA

This was the first downtrend in many years, albeit on a high base generation had increased 19 per cent Y-o-Y to 163 billion units (BU) in August 2023. The dip was partly due to excess rainfall, which pared cooling demand and also reduced need for irrigation.

Coal-based generation declined 5 per cent Y-o-Y to 101 BU. Plant utilisation factor for coalthermal declined 464 bps in August 2024 to 63 per cent. Hydrogeneration declined 2 per cent Yo-Y to 24 BU with PLF (plant load factor) for hydro down 400bps to 59 per cent in August 2024. Renewable energy (RE) generation declined 9 per cent Yo-Y to 20 BU. Gas-based generation dropped 29 per cent YO-Y to 2.5 BU.

However, 4.3 GW of RE tenders were floated in August. This included solar tenders of 2.2 GW, Hybrid tenders of 1 GW, battery storage tenders of 600 MW and module supply tender of 500 MW. About 1,700 MW worth of tenders were awarded in August 2024.