NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, is a government owned power generation company. The company was set up in 1975 as National Thermal Power Corporation Private Limited. The main objective behind setting up the company was to develop and operate thermal power stations in the country. In 1976, the company deleted the word ‘private’ from its name following a government notification which directed state owned companies to remove the word ‘private’ from their names. On December 8, 1976 the Government of India gave its nod to NTPC’s first power plant at Shaktinagar, Uttar Pradesh. Two more projects - NTPC Korba and NTPC Ramagundam - were cleared by the government in 1978. Another project in Farakka, West Bengal was cleared by the Indian government in 1979. NTPC began its commercial operations i.e. selling power after the NTPC Ramagundam project started functioning in 1983. Three years later, NTPC synchronized its first 500MW power unit located in Singrauli. NTPC ordered two additional 500 MW units, one each in Rihand and Ramagundam in 1988. In 1989, NTPC diversified and opened a consultancy division. In 1992, transmission systems owned by NTPC were transferred to Power Grid Corporation. 2002 was the year when NTPC established 3 subsidiary companies. These were NTPC Electric Supply Company Limited, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited and NTPC Hydro Limited. NTPC launched its Initial Public Offer (IPO) in 2004. In October 2005, the company rebranded and its name was officially changed from National Thermal Power Corporation Limited to NTPC Limited. As of March 2020, NTPC is India’s largest power utility with an installed capacity of 71,644 MW. 

Products and services  

NTPC Limited’s main business is the generation and sale of electricity across the country. NTPC generates electricity through various sources like coal and gas. NTPC operates several coal mining projects in India. The company also generates renewable energy through hydro, solar and wind power. After generating electricity, NTPC also engages in power trading activities which include buying and selling of electricity. NTPC sells electricity to other entities such as public utilities, state electricity boards and industries. NTPC has formed multiple joint ventures (JVs) with state electricity boards for the purpose of distributing electricity to consumers in various parts of the country.  NTPC also provides consultancy services in the fields of power generation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

Listing 

NTPC is listed on BSE, NSE and MCX Stock Exchange. The company is a part of multiple indices like Nifty 50, Nifty 500, S&P BSE Sensex 50 etc.