New Delhi: “India is committed to providing reliable and affordable power supply to people while keeping environmental concerns as the core priority”, said Shri R.K. Singh, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister (Power, New & Renewable Energy) during the inaugural ceremony of the three-day international O&M conference, the Indian Power Stations (IPS) 2023 being organized by NTPC Limited at Raipur in Chhattisgarh. While addressing the audience he further lauded NTPC Limited’s accomplishment by saying, “NTPC Limited has set global operational benchmarks in terms of its performance, culture, and progress.”
The three-day Indian Power Stations 2023 International O&M Conference or IPS 2023 is being organized from 13th to 15th February at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium at Raipur, Chhattisgarh on “Strategies for reliable and sustainable power generation in changing energy scenario” being the theme for this year. Day 1 began with the inauguration of the Conference and Techno Galaxy exhibition followed by technical sessions of the O&M Conference and interaction with vendors at the exhibition. Continuing the same on Day 2, there will be a concluding session for NTPC delegates. Day 3 will include Techno Galaxy and interaction with vendors in exhibition stalls followed by the presentation of vendors.
Commenting on the contribution of NTPC Limited in the energy sector, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar, Hon’ble Minister of State of Power said, “The efforts of NTPC have been commendable so far. As the need for power increases in the country, the need is to tackle certain challenges that come along with it. I believe that a lot of interesting ideas will come from this conference which will help significantly in the future of sustainable and reliable power.”
NTPC Vindhyachal achieved the distinction of crossing 600 + BE score and received the coveted Overall Excellence award. Since the IPS conference was withheld in the past two years due to the Covid pandemic, this year, the laurels for the stations recognized for Overall Excellence for Years 20-21 and 21-22 assessment years were bagged by NTPC Singrauli and NTPC Rihand respectively. The Overall Excellence for assessment year 22-23 – Special recognition by jury – was awarded to NTPC Solapur. The awards were received by the BUH of the Respective stations along with the Regional Executive Directors.
NTPC Korba received the First Runner-Up award, and NTPC Talcher Kaniha received the Second Runner-Up award. Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD NTPC, Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson Central Electrical Authority (CEA), Shri VK Dewangan, CMD, REC Ltd, Shri D.K. Patel, Director (HR), Shri Ramesh Babu V, Director (Operation), Shri Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director (Projects) and Shri Jaikumar Srinivasan, Director (Finance), independent directors of NTPC and senior officials were present during the felicitation ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD NTPC Limited said, “Reliable and sustainable power is more important than PLF or the generation. Going forward, the challenges with renewable energy and thermal power will become more severe as the requirements for the grid will have to be taken into consideration. Safety, reliability, flexibility, efficiency, and affordability is the priority. We should keep the cost of power as low as possible”
As the world is currently undergoing major transformations induced by the Covid 19, the war in Ukraine, and the resultant supply chain disruptions affecting global commodity prices. NTPC pledges to never compromise on the availability of energy for the country’s growth and to maintain a high living standard for the people.
Shri Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA said, “The narrative around the world is to move away from coal-based power generation. The fact that every country has its own transition path holds true. But for a country like India, there is no option other than coal for a sustainable and reliable source of energy for consumers at present.”
Shri V Ramesh Babu, Director (Operations), NTPC also spoke on the occasion. He emphasized the commitment to generating and providing reliable power at competitive prices in a sustainable manner by optimizing the use of multiple energy resources with innovative eco-friendly technologies, contributing to the economic development of the nation, social upliftment of society, and promoting a healthy environment.
