NTPC, Bhel shelve joint move to build less polluting plants

Differences over intellectual property rights (IPR) have caused NTPC Ltd and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) to scrap a proposed joint initiative to build power plants that use the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology.

IGCC is a technology that turns coal into gas and removes impurities from the coal gas before it is combusted, resulting in lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulates and mercury.

NTPC has decided to go ahead on its own and will shortly be appointing a consultant to prepare specifications for these plants, according to an official at the state-owned utility, the country’s largest. The executive declined to be named.

Bhel, India’s largest power generation equipment maker, will collaborate with Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corp. Ltd (APGenco) to build IGCC power plants, an official at the public sector enterprise said on condition of anonymity.



ref:

http://www.livemint.com/2009/11/03225127/NTPC-Bhel-shelve-joint-move-t.html