The NTPC-BHEL Power Projects (NBPPL), a joint venture of NTPC and BHEL, has commenced production of power equipment at Mannavaram, in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.

The project was sanctioned in 2007, while the JV agreement was forged on 17 December, 2007.

The foundation stone for the NBPPL was laid by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 1 September, 2010. However, the project was delayed due to infrastructure bottlenecks, like lack of good roads to handle the giant-sized consignments, and assured water supply.

The investment in Phase-I of the project was reduced to Rs 363.94 crore from the original Rs 1,200 crore, through EPC and manufacturing facilities, by cutting the EPC expenditure to Rs 13.55 crore by shifting to a hiring model.

The boiler, turbine and generator (BTG) unit has now been shifted to Phase-II from Phase-I.

Phase-II of the project will start in 2016-17. As per a detailed project report, the estimated employment opportunities will be 6,100 till FY 2017 end.

There will be 1,250 employment opportunities in Phase-I, with NBPPL expected to carry out 30 EPC orders and other related projects.

NBPPL has also signed an MoU with Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) to supply spare parts for coal and ash-handling plants and other equipment required by the state power utility’s thermal power plants.