State-run power producer NTPC has approached the Coal Ministry for long term coal linkages for its proposed thermal power plant at Kudgi in Karnataka. NTPC is setting up a 4,000-MW power plant at Kudgi in Karnataka. Of which, 2400 MW (3x800 MW) will come up in the first phase.

"It is requested to accord long term coal linkage for the power project from appropriate source," the navratna PSU wrote in a letter to the Coal Ministry.

However, the company has also stated that it would prefer the dry fuel supplies from South Eastern Coalfields Ltd or Mahanadi Coalfields, both of which are subsidiaries of Coal India Ltd.

The plant is scheduled for commissioning in the XIIth Five Year Plan Period (2012-17).

This project is part of the company's endeavour to become a 50,000-MW company by 2012 and 75,000-MW by 2017. NTPC has an installed power generation capacity of 30,644 MW and currently has 17,930 MW under construction.