India's NTPC to work with NGRI on geothermal

New Delhi-based power company NTPC signed a memorandum of understanding to work with the government-backed National Geophysical Research Institute to identify potential sites for geothermal power projects in the country.

State-controlled NTPC, which stands for National Thermal Power Corp., is India's largest power company.

"Both the organizations have agreed to associate for formulating a long term strategy to set up the first geothermal based power project in India," said NTPC in a statement.

The company said Tattapani in the state of Chattisgarh has been identified as the first project site.

India, which is new to the renewable energy market, has yet to establish any geothermal power.

In February, Reykjavik, Iceland-based Glitnir Bank announced a joint venture for geothermal exploration in India (see Glitnir to bring geothermal to India).

Glitnir is partnering with Noida, India-based LNJ Bhilwara Group, a diversified business with operations in power generation.

India's National Geophysical Research Institute, established in 1961 in Hyderabad, has a scientific staff of about 200.

The institute's work includes the exploration of hydrocarbon and coal, mineral exploration and engineering geophysics, and exploration, assessment and management of groundwater resources.

NTPC said it has an installed capacity of 29,144 megawatts through 26 power stations, covering nearly 20 percent of India's installed capacity and contributing 29 percent of the country's power generation.

The company expects to have more than 75,000 MW of capacity by the year 2017.

Cleantech developments making news in the past 24 hours

• Metabolix, ADM to open new bioplastics factory
• Rockwool nears construction on Indian insulation factory

View the last week of cleantech developments here | Subscribe to full feed