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NTPC Limited (NTPC) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

NTPC Limited (NSE: NTPC) Q3 2026 Earnings Call dated Jan. 30, 2026

Corporate Participants:

Jaikumar SrinivasanDirector – Finance

Sarit MaheshwariChief Executive Officer – NGEL

Analysts:

Mohit KumarAnalyst

Sumit KishoreAnalyst

Nidhi ShahAnalyst

Satyadeep JainAnalyst

Khushwant PahwaAnalyst

Ketan JainAnalyst

Mahesh PatilAnalyst

Nikhil NiganiaAnalyst

Aniket MittalAnalyst

Presentation:

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the NTPC Limited Q3 FY26 Earnings Conference Call, hosted by ICICI Securities Limited. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen-only mode, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded.

I now hand the conference over to Mr. Mohit Kumar from ICICI Securities. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Mohit KumarAnalyst

Thank you, Huda. Good evening. On behalf of ICICI Securities, I welcome you all to the Q3 FY26 earnings call of NTPC Limited. Today, we have with us Shri Jaikumar Srinivasan, Director of Finance of NTPC, along with other functional directors. We’ll start with the brief opening remarks, which will be followed by a Q&A.

Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Jaikumar SrinivasanDirector – Finance

Thank you. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am Jaikumar Srinivasan, Director of Finance of NTPC Limited and NTPC Green Energy Limited. It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all to our earnings conference call for Q3 and nine months ended 31st December 2025.

Joining me today are my colleagues from the board and the senior management, Shri. Shivam Srivastava, Director of Fuel, Shri. K. Shanmugha Sundaram, Director, Projects, Shri. Ravindra Kumar, Director, Operations, and Shri. Anil Kumar Jadli, Director, Human Resources, along with other members. I also have with me Mr. Sarit Maheshwari and Mr. Neeraj Sharma, who are the CEO and CFO of NGEL, respectively.

We have announced our unaudited financial results for Q3 and nine months FY 2026 of NTPC today, and same thing we did yesterday for NGEL. We have also shared operational, financial snapshot with the stock exchange, which are available for investors’ reference. I’ll take you through the major developments in NTPC, NGEL, as well as the power sector as a whole, followed by operational performance, financial highlights, before we open the floor for questions.

I’d like to highlight key developments. NTPC Group added 1,744 megawatt in Q3 FY 2026, comprising of 800 megawatt from Patratu Thermal Power Station, 694 megawatt from renewables, and 250 megawatt from THDC pumped storage project. Further, during January 2026, 468 megawatt renewables has been added, taking total capacity addition in FY 2026 to 6,615 megawatt, the highest achieved in the 10-months period.

The shareholders’ agreement for Sinnar Thermal Power Plant was signed on ninth January 2026, following approval of the resolution plan submitted by NTPC and MAHAGENCO by the National Company Law Tribunal NCLT. The transfer process is expected to be completed shortly. This would be — this would add 1,350 megawatts of capacity with approximately 1,600 acres of vacant land available for future expansion. With all this, we remain on track to achieve one of the highest annual capacity addition in the current fiscal supported by strong project pipeline.

Power demand recorded an increase of 6.3% in December ’25 and has continued to grow in January ’26 as well, with a growth of 5.89% recorded so far as compared to the previous year. NTPC’s group generation grew by 8.82% in December ’25 and by around 4% in January ’26 as compared to the previous year. During nine months FY26, NTPC group generation stood at 320 billion units compared to 327 billion units in nine months FY25. NTPC’s stand-alone generation was 261 billion units compared to 278 billion units in the corresponding period last year.

The PLF of NTPC coal stations during nine months FY26 stood at 70.69% compared to 60.79% for the rest of India. NTPC commissioned 3 megawatt hours vanadium redox flow battery pilot project, which is India’s first megawatt hour scale long-duration energy storage system. We have also commissioned 3.7 megawatt solar project at Chushul, which is in Ladakh, which is designed for providing 24/7 carbon-free electricity to the Indian Army.

Coal stock at NTPC stations stood at 15 million tons, sufficient for about 18 days of generation at 85% PLF. Captive mines recorded dispatch growth of 4.34% year-on-year. Additionally, coal dispatch started from Pakri Barwadih’s Northwest mine. Similarly, mine opening clearance has also been received for Badam mine, having peak rated capacity of 3 MMTPA. The cumulative capital expenditure in coal mining stood at INR14,136 crores as on 31st December 2025, providing a long-term equity deployment under the cost-plus framework and supporting a stable return on equity.

Outstanding receivable days improved to 26 days as on 31st December 2025, compared to 34 days as of 31st December 2024. In the first nine months of FY26, our station co-fired 9.68 lakh metric tons of biomass, more than double the 4.29 lakhs metric tons used in the same period last year, supporting sustainability objectives.

MSCI ESG ratings upgraded NTPC to a B rating from CCC, marking a significant improvement in its ESG assessment after nearly 10 years due to our sustained initiatives. Some of the sectoral updates. CERC has issued draft regulation allowing the installation of battery energy storage system at thermal generation station. This is a positive development as it enables coal-based plants to remain online and support peak demand by supplying additional power through BESS during peak hours. The framework will help DISCOM in managing peak requirement and provide NTPC with an opportunity to invest in energy storage under cost-plus framework.

A key positive indicator is that the distribution companies reported an overall profit of over INR2,700 crores in FY25 compared to a loss of INR25,553 crores in FY24, driven by lower AT&C losses and improved payment discipline. This strengthens payment security and for generators and support sustainable sector growth. The government has recently legislated sustainable harnessing and advancement of nuclear energy for transforming India, SHANTI Nuclear Act, which positions nuclear power as a key pillar of India’s long-term baseload energy strategy in support of Viksit Bharat 2047. It addresses the power demand for manufacturing, digital infrastructure, urbanization and transport while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The bill supports India’s Net Zero 2070 commitment by enabling scalable, clean baseload capacity and strengthening long-term energy security. For NTPC, the SHANTI Act provides a clear pathway to scale nuclear capacity as part of our diversified generation portfolio. It enables us to leverage our project execution and financial strength to add new nuclear capacities to our portfolio. The bill also supports NTPC’s participation in advanced nuclear technologies, strengthening long-term growth and shareholders’ value.

As highlighted earlier, power demand has begun to show an increasing trend, supported by improving economic indicators, which is reflected in the growth numbers. Peak demand touched 245 gigawatt on 9th January 2026. Nonsolar peak demand has also shown an upward trend, reaching 237.4 gigawatt in FY26 compared to 234.35 gigawatt in FY25 and 218.38 gigawatt in FY24. As the country’s largest power generator supported by a strong balance sheet, these developments will enable NTPC to leverage its strength effectively. The evolving landscape presents significant opportunities, and it is well positioned to capture the next phase of growth in India’s power sector by balancing conventional and nonconventional sources to ensure reliability, affordability and sustainability.

Coming to the key financial highlights comparing — I’ll give a comparison with the corresponding period. For NTPC on a standalone basis, total income for Q3 FY26 is INR41,673 crores as against INR42,303 crores in Q3 FY25. For nine months FY26, the total income is INR1,25,695 crores as compared to INR1,28,601 crores in the corresponding previous period. NTPC’s profit after tax for Q3 FY26 is INR4,987 crores as against INR4,711 crores in the corresponding quarter of previous year, registering a growth of 5.85%.

Total income of the group for nine months FY26 is INR1,39,388 crores as against INR1,39,777 crores in the corresponding previous period. Profit after tax of the group for nine months FY26 is INR16,931 crores as against the corresponding previous period PAT of INR16,056 crores, registering an increase of 5.45%. During nine months FY26, our subsidiaries earned a profit of INR2,441 crores as compared to INR1,908 crores in the corresponding period of the previous year, registering an increase of 28%. NTPC’s share of profit in JV was INR1,670 crores in nine months FY26 as against INR1,581 crores in nine months FY25.

During nine months FY26, we have accounted for dividend income of INR1,901 crores from our subsidiaries and joint venture companies as against INR1,309 crores during nine months FY25. Standalone regulated equity as on 31st December 2025 was INR94,415 crores, while consolidated regulated equity was — stood at INR1,18,970 crores.

As regards fund mobilization, NTPC has executed unsecured term loan agreement aggregating to INR5,000 crores, comprising of INR3,500 crores with State Bank of India and INR1,500 crores with Jammu & Kashmir Bank. These loans carry a door-to-door tenure of 15 years with interest rate linked to the three months treasury bill rate in the case of SBI and repo rate in case of J&K Bank. The proceeds will be utilized to meet company’s capital expenditure requirements for ongoing and new capacity addition programs including inorganic growth opportunities, renewable energy initiatives, renovation and modernization works, coal mining operations, refinancing of existing loan and other related purpose.

Further, NTPC organized its 18th Lenders’ Meet in December 2025 at New Delhi. The meet provided an overview of the company’s operational and financial performance, green initiatives, growth and diversification strategy, future capital expenditure plans and funding requirements. The event witnessed participation from representatives of leading banks, financial institutions and credit rating agencies from India and overseas. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings during the nine months FY26 stood at 6.05% compared to 6.64% in nine months FY25, reflecting the benefits of proactive refinancing and strategic restructuring of the company’s loan portfolio.

As regards CapEx in the nine months FY26, we have incurred a group CapEx of INR33,466 crores as compared to INR30,779 crores in the corresponding previous period. While on a standalone basis, NTPC has incurred a CapEx of INR19,439 crores in nine months FY26, as compared to INR17,853 crores in the corresponding previous year period. The gross property, plant and machinery as on 31st December 2025 on a group level has increased by INR67,000 crores to INR4,54,223 crores during last one year, an increase of 17.4%.

Coming to NTPC Green Energy Limited, let me now highlight the performance. During FY26, NGEL added 2,108 megawatts of renewable capacity, taking its total commercial capacity to 8,010 megawatts as on 31st December 2025, up from 5,902 megawatts as on 31st March 2025. On a year-on-year basis, commercial capacity increased by 4,535 megawatts, including 2,624 megawatts from the acquisition of Ayana Renewable Power Private Limited. Generation during nine months FY26 stood at 9,959 million units, a growth of 206% over nine months FY25, primarily driven by Ayana acquisition. Despite weather-related challenges, NGEL achieved a healthy capacity utilization factor of 21.8%.

Financial performance remains strong. Consolidated revenue from operations increased by 23% to INR1,946 crores in nine months FY26, while operating EBITDA grew by 25% to INR1,701 crores. EBITDA margin improved to 87%, underscoring the robust profitability of the renewable portfolio. Capital investment continues to be a key focus. Consolidated CapEx during nine months FY26 stood at INR11,653 crores compared to INR7,261 crores in the corresponding period last year. Total contracted and awarded capacity increased by 11.54% to 15,527 megawatts as on 31st December 2025. During the period, NGEL secured its maiden battery energy storage project of 80 megawatt by 320 megawatt hours in Kerala through NHPC, won a SECI bid for supply of 70,000 megawatts per annum of green ammonia and Ayana secured 140-megawatt round-the-clock renewable project at a tariff of INR4.35 per kilowatt hours.

In the quarter three, NGEL successfully issued INR1,500 crores of unsecured nonconvertible debentures through private placement at a competitive interest rate of 7.01%. The issue was oversubscribed by around 8 times, which shows the investors’ confidence and favorable market perception. Some of the other key points on financial results are as under. NTPC has declared a second interim dividend of INR2.75 per equity share for the financial year ’25-26. We will continue to balance growth along with dividend payout.

Based on the question raised by investors during earlier con calls, I would like to inform that the fixed cost under-recoveries till December 2025 is at the level of INR454 crores, and every effort is being made to reduce this under-recoveries by the end of the year. Our operational gains on various accounts for nine months FY26 is INR832 crores comprising of schedule generation incentive, primary frequency response, et cetera. We are improving our operational and maintenance practices continuously to reduce under-recoveries and maximum gains.

Some of the other key developments I’d like to share. On the energy storage front, we are focusing on long-duration energy storage system in addition to the conventional systems. Following the successful demonstration of a 3-megawatt hour vanadium redox flow battery, we are planning a 100-megawatt hours redox battery system at our Khavda Solar project. We are focusing on replicating this technology at other locations as well. In the conventional BESS, we have finalized the contract for development of a 320-megawatt hour BESS in Kerala. In addition, as highlighted in the previous con call, we are in the final stage of evaluation of a tender for 5,000 megawatt hours of BESS capacity at 16 NTPC power stations under Section 62, with commissioning expected within 18 months.

The third unit of Tehri pumped storage project has been commissioned and the final unit of 250 megawatt is scheduled to be commissioned before the end of the current financial year. Work is also in progress on the 160-megawatt-hour CO2-based energy storage system at Kudgi. Further preliminary studies are underway for pump storage project aggregating to around 13 gigawatts allocated by state governments, which will be executed through group companies of NTPC. Further work at Tato-II hydroelectric power project 700 megawatt has also started, which NEEPCO is executing.

NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam has registered a growth of over 14% in power trading, up from 31.6 billion units to 36.1 billion units during the FY26 nine-month period. We have received several recognitions such as organization leading the Net Zero building movement in India at the India Green Building Council, IGBC; Green Champions Award, SHRM HR Excellence Award in public sector category and won the NASSCOM DSCI Award for best security practices in energy sector. In addition, the company secured five awards across categories at CIS Digital Transformation Awards.

We are pursuing growth through a balanced expansion across conventional and clean energy segments while maintaining a strong focus on fuel security, on-time execution and prudent capital allocation. We have over 33 gigawatts of capacity under construction, comprising 16.5 gigawatts of coal-based capacity, about 1.9 gigawatts of hydro and around 15 gigawatts of renewable energy, and this is providing a solid foundation for near to medium-term growth. To strengthen fuel assurances and value creation, we are also working on coal gasification, which has the potential to operationalize gas assets continuously.

On the nuclear front, we are progressing steadily and have made good progress in conducting site studies in several new locations. We are also in the process of tying up with international partners, subject to government approvals, including technology partners, engineering, consultant and EPC vendors. For financial year ’26, we have seen steady execution for NTPC with progress across capacity addition, fuel security, operational performance and sustainability. Similarly, as we move into the final quarter of the fiscal year, our focus remains on the timely commissioning of projects under execution, sustaining plant efficiency and availability and maintaining balance sheet discipline.

We intend to leverage the SHANTI Act to accelerate our nuclear capacity road map, building on our long-term clean and reliable baseload strategy. Parallelly, NTPC is selectively scaling its international presence through structured engagements and project opportunities aligned with the strategic relevance. We will continue to advance renewable and energy storage in a calibrated manner to enhance system flexibility and portfolio balance.

Despite relatively subdued power demand in the current year, we remain confident that demand will witness sustained incremental growth in the years ahead. As an integral part of India’s development journey today, we are optimistic about our role in powering a developed India as well. We are committed to enhancing shareholders’ wealth and continue to strive for improving performance in every facet of our business.

Thank you for joining us, and now I hand over to Mohit for the Q&A. Thank you.

Questions and Answers:

Operator

Thank you very much. We will now begin the question and answer session. [Operator Instructions] Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for a moment while the question queue attends. The first question is on the line of Sumit Kishore from Axis Capital. Please go ahead.

Sumit Kishore

Hello. Good evening, sir. My first question is, could you speak about your revised targets for capacity addition in NTPC Green both at the JV level as well as at the consolidated level, and what has been and why are the challenges seemingly delaying your original plans?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah. Mr. Sarit Maheshwari, the CEO of NGEL, will take your questions.

Sarit Maheshwari

See, as far as our capacity addition plans for this year is — was concerned, we had promised that we would be doing around 5,200 megawatt on a year-on-year basis. That is, this year we had to add 5 gigawatt of power. We are well on track of it. We have already added 2,000 odd megawatt. And in the balance two months, our capacity additions are well on track. We are going to add around 1,000 megawatt more at Khavda, 200 megawatt more at Bhadla, and 250 megawatt at Kalasar. Together, around 300 megawatt of wind will come from our Gujarat plants, and also around 500 to 550 megawatt will be coming from our Ayana portfolio. This would take to another 2,300 to 2,400 of structured capacity addition planned in the next two years. So the capacity addition plan is very much on track, and we would be touching our 5 gigawatt target.

Sumit Kishore

So sir, 2,000 megawatt is done. 2,300 megawatt to 2,400 megawatt can be done in next two months that will be 4,400 megawatts?

Sarit Maheshwari

No. So far, we have done — we have already done as on date — as on — till the last quarter, around 2,100 and around 500 by 2,600-odd megawatts we have already done. So as I told you, for the balance one also around 2,500 megawatt is on target. So that will take us to 5 gigawatts. That is what we have planned.

Sumit Kishore

Okay. And for the next financial year, what’s the NTPC Green target at the consolidated level?

Sarit Maheshwari

Sir, our plan as of now for FY27 is 8 gigawatt. And we have already commenced work on the various plants which have to give the capacities next year. And likewise, for FY28 also, we are targeting 8 gigawatt of capacity addition.

Sumit Kishore

So sir, NTPC Green again, the next question is, what is your solar and wind generation, which has happened in nine month FY26 at the consolidated level and the JV level? And also, please share your calculated PLF. My humble request is that the key performance like for NTPC Green should be uploaded along with the results because it is very difficult to interpret performance in the absence of these basic numbers.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Key financial numbers, operational and financial numbers of the NGEL has already been uploaded, you may please verify or you can get it directly from the company also.

Sumit Kishore

Okay. It was not in the — it is not in BSE as of now.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

It is in the NGEL website, you can just check.

Sumit Kishore

Okay. Okay. I was checking on BSE. So the last question is what explains loss contribution for JVs in NTPC Green in Q3?

Sarit Maheshwari

The work in the — on NGEL, all the NGEL JVs are still in progress, except for Ayana contribution, which has also been explicitly mentioned there.

Sumit Kishore

Okay. So the loss is attributable to Ayana?

Sarit Maheshwari

No, if you see on a quarter-on-quarter basis, definitely, there is — in Q2 to Q3, there is a dip in the profit, but on the nine-month consolidation basis, you can see that our — both PBT has grown by 26% on a consolidated basis. And so is the PAT, which has grown up by 35%. But if you just tend to analyze Q2 to Q3, there are various reasons because of which the profitability has gone down. that primarily involves some loss of generation at Khavda, wherein we had brought in the largest capacity, and this is the initial stabilization period because of which the generation is not to the tune what has been — what should have come from there. But that is very normal in any renewable company. And I can tell you that as on date, whatever capacity we have brought it at Khavda, which is around 1,500 megawatt, all the capacities are running at full load. So there is absolutely no loss of capacity because of performance because the stabilization period is now over for the capacities that we added there.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Just to explain the stabilization here, the peculiar thing here is when the capacity addition happened on an odd date, the benefit of the revenue is accrued from the odd date, whereas the depreciation for the capacity cost is booked for the entire quarter, depreciation particularly. So in the next quarter, it gets normalized.

Sumit Kishore

That is very clear. Thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Nidhi Shah from ICICI Securities. Please go ahead.

Nidhi Shah

Yes, thank you so much for taking my question. Sir, my first question is that we recently got more that the 400 megawatt of the 1 gigawatt bid of UPPCL as a Jan bid, the PPA has been given out. So what is the status of the remaining 600 as well as there was another bid that NTPC won in March from UPPCL. So again, what is the progress on the PPA for that bid?

Sarit Maheshwari

No, we have already 1,400 megawatt of UPPCL power that we had. Out of that, 1 gigawatt is already PPA tied at — the work is going on at Chitrakoot and Lalitpur on that. The balance 400 megawatt, we do not have the PPA, and we haven’t started the work on that as of — till now.

Nidhi Shah

All right. And what — but isn’t the total 2 gigawatt, 1 gigawatt in Jan and 1 gigawatt in March? So Chitrakoot and the other one that you mentioned, that is from the first tranche in Jan. The second one, 1 gigawatt in March, what is the status of that?

Sarit Maheshwari

Ma’am, as regards NGEL, we have only with UP 1,400 megawatt. We can get offline to understand this, which capacities you are talking.

Nidhi Shah

All right. And lastly — all right. Lastly what percentage of the 23.5 gigawatt that is in our contracted and awarded total is PPA tied and what percentage is not PPA tied?

Sarit Maheshwari

I can give you the figures on a year-on-year basis, what is the PPA-tied capacities. In FY26, the capacities that we will now be adding will be — is almost 82% PPA tied. FY27, it moves to 83% FY28 capacity as on date is 60% is tied up. And if you pick up total of all three, four on a consolidated basis, we are 74% PPA tied. And I would also like to add here in which we have — in this, we have not included some of the plants where the PPA dialogue is going up with government, like 600-megawatt odd we are in advanced stages of tie-up at Barethi from MP government. So that is — that also we haven’t considered. So if you consider that as the PPA, which will definitely happen, this percentage would further go up. Likewise, we have also some comfort letters with our group company, NVVN. That is also because there is no firm PPA over there, we haven’t included that.

Nidhi Shah

All right. Thank you so much. I’ll get back in the queue.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

For a total capacity of around — okay.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Satyadeep Jain from Ambit Capital. Please go ahead.

Satyadeep Jain

Hi, thank you. Just first one in NTPC. Just wanted to check on the decision to participate in Section 63 tenders, there have been about 11, 12 gigawatt awards. Is this a conscious decision for NTPC not to participate in Section 63, just trying to understand.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah. NTPC has always either to maintain the position that it will, first of all, channelize all its resources and equity as far as the Section 62 is concerned. So we are — by merit order, we are all going through brownfield projects only. And so after exhausting this, the next level of strategy would be thought of. But right at this moment, you are correct that we are restricting ourselves from Section 62 as far as thermal plants are concerned, but that doesn’t limit us from going in for acquisition of preexisting assets. As you know, we have recently acquired Sinnar Thermal Power Plant. So that — this would be a case-to-case decision. But definitely, at this moment, we are not bidding for any greenfield projects, which are coming under Section 62.

Satyadeep Jain

Just wanted to touch on this further. So a lot of these tenders — and maybe you can share a thought why are we seeing a lot of flurry of tenders to 63. And you have pipeline — we’re waiting for more visibility for pipeline beyond ’28, ’29, commissioning some tenders which are still not awarded, which we are waiting in ’27. So why not build this pipeline beyond the brownfield that you already have? Maybe — so till you tender out and look at the remaining capacity that you have, you will not participate in 63 at all? And does it limit your optionality because all these states are tendering 63 basis. Would that limit option once you exhaust brownfield? Just trying to understand the thought process of this.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

No, no, we are not ruling anything forever. But right at this moment, as I said that on a purely merit order, we are right now restricting ourselves to Section 62. We’ll evaluate the proposition as we go ahead.

Satyadeep Jain

Okay.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

But at the same time, my allocation of resource from the NTPC holding company would be towards all the committed projects, which includes hydro projects of its subsidiaries. We have commitments — increasing commitments to nuclear. So keeping all this to balance everything, right now, the strategy is to participate in going for Section 62. But as we go ahead, we’ll evaluate our strategy afresh.

Satyadeep Jain

And maybe, sir, any thoughts maybe from your front why push towards 63 from states? Anything you can add or maybe if not, I can move to the next question.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

No, I’m not clear about your question.

Satyadeep Jain

Why is there a flurry of tenders through 63, and not — why are states not looking at 62? Just trying to understand what is driving this activity on 63 front?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

I mean, since we are — see, as far as ours — our capacity addition is concerned under 62, we have a sufficient response and we have taken from the state. We have been successfully able to tie up our projects. So beyond this, if there are certain considerations at the state level — individual state level, I won’t be able to explain to you.

Satyadeep Jain

Okay. And sir, secondly, on NGEL, I just wanted to understand, so you’re looking at 2.5 gigawatt in the next two months and 8 gigawatt, just — next year. Just how are you looking at right of way connectivity? So these are — you have a very high reasonable surety that these plants have connectivity commissioned and that we will be able to commission 2.5 gigawatt in the next two months, just the level of confidence you have for these 2.5 gigawatt in the next two months.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

See, as Mr. Sarit was explaining around 20 gigawatt that we are targeting over the next three years, the entire PPA — the PPA up to 75% is in place. But on a more immediate basis, the land connectivity is in place. So I think we are pretty sure that whatever is in the hand, we’ll be able to finish it. We are fully geared up for that.

Satyadeep Jain

No, sir. Just specifically the 2.5 for the next two months, you’re talking about. I know land connectivity, everything is secured. But in terms of connectivity, the energizing of the plant and the connectivity being available, this would be contingent on connectivity being there, right, the 2.5 gigawatt. Just trying to understand the level of confidence you have that the connectivity will be ready and we will be able to energize these assets by the end of March ’26.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah, Mr. Sarit.

Sarit Maheshwari

See, I’ll answer this in two parts. One is the physical progress on the ground to give you some idea how we are going to add 2.5 gigawatt in the coming two months. Our bulk of the capacity in this around 1,000-odd megawatt is coming from Khavda alone. So this Khavda already 700 to 800 megawatt of module capacities have already been erected. So now when we will be adding the further capacity over there, all the connectivity-related challenges in terms of transformers and all are all already back-charged. So these capacities are going to come in the coming two months step by step. We are also — we have already commissioned at Bhadla 300 megawatt, so every system is over there is also charged and the balance 200 megawatt, we will bring there also. So this gives a very clear 1,200 megawatt, which is very much ready and can be commissioned within the next 1 to 1.5 months only.

In addition to that, we have from our Ayana platform also 500 to 550 megawatts, which is in advanced stage of commissioning. We also have our wind projects at three locations, which is Vanki, Jamjodhpur, and Dwarka. At Vanki and Jamjodhpur, we will be bringing in another 200-odd megawatts from these two locations. And from Dayapar, we are also targeting around 150. In addition, there is one more plant, as I explained before, also, Kalasar, which is 250 megawatts. So if you sum up all these, we are on track for the — our capacity addition as we had promised. On the connectivity front, as you can say that our firm capacity is — currently are at the Khavda region is 865. From February onwards, we will get further connectivities over there. And the balance, any additional generation from there as now is going on TGNA. It will go on TGNA from there.

Satyadeep Jain

Okay. Sir, just a clarification on Ayana 500 megawatt. This is the Hindalco RE-RTC that you expect to commission by March 2026. Is that right?

Sarit Maheshwari

That includes a part of that also, but there are other projects also. One is in Rajasthan. We can give you the breakup offline, especially on the 500 megawatt of Ayana platform also.

Satyadeep Jain

Thank you, sir. Thank you. Wish you all the best.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Khushwant Pahwa from KPAC. Please go ahead.

Khushwant Pahwa

Hi. Am I audible?

Operator

Yes, sir.

Khushwant Pahwa

Hello, am I audible?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah.

Khushwant Pahwa

Thanks, and congratulations on the good set of numbers.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah, please be a bit louder.

Khushwant Pahwa

Am I audible now? Is it better? Is it better?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah. Could you be a little bit louder, please? Yeah.

Khushwant Pahwa

Just switch to this — yeah.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah, please continue.

Khushwant Pahwa

Yeah. I understood the capacity that will come online on the NG, NGEL group side. Can you please give some color on what capacities will come online on the thermal side, the timelines, basically. This year, remaining three months, and next year, and the year thereafter?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yeah. As far as thermal for the current year is concerned, see, as you know, that we already, in my opening statement, we have said that how much is the actual that has been commissioned till 31 March. 2,780 megawatt is already commissioned. So I think thermal, we will end up at this. No further thermal capacity is expected during the current year. But however, the next year, we are expecting Patratu Unit 2 and 3 to be commissioned in Q1 and Q3, respectively. So that would add around 1,600 megawatt, two units of 800.

Khushwant Pahwa

So, I mean, I see the capacity coming online is 16,520 megawatt. So, do you have any broad timelines for that or difficult at this stage?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

See, over the next three-year period, 6,500 would be added, 2,780 during the current year. Next year, it is two units of 800, 1,600, and the next year, it would be 2,120 megawatts. This is coming from TTPS unit — TTPS Stage Three unit, Unit 1, and Talcher, and Lara Unit 1, Stage 2, this is 800 megawatts. So that adds to 2,120 megawatts. So all this put together, 6.5 gigawatts over the next three years, including the current year.

Khushwant Pahwa

Thank you so much.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Ketan Jain from Avendus Spark. Please go ahead.

Ketan Jain

Thank you. My question got answered earlier. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Mahesh Patil from ICICI Securities. Please go ahead.

Mahesh Patil

Yes. Hi, sir. Sir, my first question is what is the impact of curtailment on our generation? Is it possible to quantify it in any way?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

You’re talking about thermal or the asset?

Mahesh Patil

Yes, yes, the renewables for Rajasthan, Gujarat.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Hello? On the renewable, okay.

Sarit Maheshwari

Yes, we had — you’re right, we had significant curtailments. Yes, I can give you the figures. We had a total in this — for the nine months that have gone by, we lost around 420 million units on account of curtailment in NGEL alone. And in NREL also, we had lost around 212 million units of generation. So I think this answers you that the curtailment has been a significant issue in the past that we had faced. But I’m happy to inform you that as regards NGEL, now the curtailment will be zero because the line through which the curtailment was happening was Narela K3 line that is commissioned. And henceforth, there will be no curtailment loss on to NGEL on account of this. There will be minor curtailment losses in NREL from Khavda because our complete GNA is 865, which is going to be firmed up in sequence next year onwards. And by October, we will be having the complete capacities over there also. So with respect to NGEL growth, the curtailment will not have that kind of an effect that is happening elsewhere in Gujarat and Rajasthan. [foreign speech]

Mahesh Patil

Okay. And sir, my second question is on the thermal award that we are looking at for next year, FY27?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Next year, we are looking at an award of 4 gigawatt that will be Lara 2, 1,600 megawatts. Jhabua, BRBCL, Bhilai 800 megawatt each. The next financial year, we are planning Talcher thermal-based extension of another 800 megawatt at this instance. And we have various other options also. Depending on the conditions we may add further.

Mahesh Patil

Okay, sir. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Nikhil from Bernstein. Please go ahead.

Nikhil Nigania

Yeah. Hi, thank you for taking the question. My first question is on the green ammonia project that we won. I mean, outside in the bids look aggressive. So I wanted to check, do they fall within our return thresholds? Or are there any plans to reconsider that project?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Could you please repeat the question?

Nikhil Nigania

So the question is on the green ammonia project.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Kindly repeat the question.

Nikhil Nigania

Hello, can you hear me now?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Yes.

Nikhil Nigania

Yeah. I’m saying the green ammonia project that we won, could you please clarify outside in the bids look aggressive to us. So I wanted to check, does the project meet our return threshold of 11%, 12% for higher equity IRR, or are there any plans to reconsider that green ammonia project?

Sarit Maheshwari

I’ll take this query. In fact, if you see the IRR calculations for this, this would primary number that has to come is from RE-RTC on that. And the RE-RTC prices are quite competitive these days, and we would be maintaining the healthy IRR as we do for other projects in this project also.

Nikhil Nigania

Okay. Got it. My second and last question is on the nuclear side. So the future projects planned on nuclear, the technology partnerships you’re looking for are abroad, no plans to do it on domestic tie-ups?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

As you know, currently, we are working along with NPCIL in our Mahi Banswara project. That is predominantly on PSWR technology. As far as the balance technologies are concerned, we already come out with an EOI, and we have shortlisted EDF France for India and as far as Rosatom for this PWR. So with these two, we are planning to have MoU, then we will take it forward in working in this technology, PWR technology predominantly. So in the meantime, we have started studies in various stages. One of the site in Andhra Pradesh is in advanced condition. Another one MP is in progress. Once you select a site, then we will go and try to award these global tender for this in PWR technology.

Nikhil Nigania

Got it. Thank you. Those were my questions.

Operator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Aniket Mittal from SBI Mutual Fund. Please go ahead.

Aniket Mittal

Just a clarification on thermal awarding. When do we expect Meja to get awarded, and it seems you pushed out Lara also to FY27 now. So just to understand what’s leading to these delays in incremental coal awarding?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

See, in case of this Meja — basically, it’s the equity is crossing the threshold limit, both government of UP and government — NTPC has to get the necessary approvals. So the approval process is spending otherwise, everything is tied up. It’s a matter of time. We are expected to finish this in this quarter. As regards Lara, Lara we are postponing because the parties which are supposed to quote they are asking for an extension. We are trying to consider them. Though we have put as a first quarter next financial year, it may be quite possible to have it in this quarter itself.

Aniket Mittal

Okay. And what about Patratu, sir? When do you expect to award Phase 2 of Patratu?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Phase II of Patratu right now it all depends on concerning the state government. Right now, it is not in the table of parts. It may be — after the 4.8 gigawatt which I was telling earlier, that we are having a lot of options with us. Under those options, Patratu and others will be done.

Aniket Mittal

Okay. Just one question on the financials. I think this quarter, when I look at the profitability, there seems to be a very big rise on a YoY basis on the fertilizer JV that we have, could you quantify that number for this quarter? And then what’s driving this increase in profitability over there?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Just give me a moment. See, sales volume growth has been 22%. So that has increased the fixed cost recovery by INR992 crores and there is a reduction in gas under recovery by INR224 crores on account of improved efficiency. This is 5.04 gigacal by MT from 5.207 gigacal. So both this has been a contributing factor. And there is an increase in the trading margin by INR159 crores. So all these three things accounts for increase of — by around INR357 crores of profit.

Aniket Mittal

Got that. And just lastly, there’s obviously been news about us and NIIF trying to sell IntelliSmart. What’s the way out over there?

Jaikumar Srinivasan

IntelliSmart is still under process. So we will be able to tell you definitively later on, not at this moment.

Aniket Mittal

Okay, thanks.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

Still under discussion.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, we will take that as a last question for today. I now hand the conference over to the management for closing comments. Over to you, sir.

Jaikumar Srinivasan

I thank you all of you for your active participation in this earnings call for the Q3 FY26. And for your pertinent queries on the operational and financial aspects of NTPC, NGEL way ahead. Wherever we could not give you the precise number can raise a separate query, and we’ll be glad to clarify that, and we’ll have it provided through our Investor Relations cell. Thanks once again to all of you for the active participation. Thank you so much.