Ranchi, April 22: The state will sit with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) tomorrow to thrash out twin proposals of a greenfield project and a takeover in Patratu, Ramgarh district.

According to initial plans, NTPC and the state government will jointly set up a 4,000MW thermal power project in Patratu with five units of 800MW each on vacant acres of the existing Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS).

The NTPC is also supposed to take over the PTPS, an under-performing unit that generates between 50MW and 120MW on any given day, far less than its installed capacity of 840MW.

Chaired by state chief secretary Rajiv Gauba, tomorrow's meeting at Project Building will be attended by NTPC chairman Arup Roy Choudhury, state energy secretary S.K.G. Rahate and Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd managing director Rahul Kumar Purwar.

"While three of the five proposed power units are expected to be operational by 2019, two others are likely to be commissioned by 2022," Purwar, who looks over the distribution aspects of the state's power, told The Telegraph today.

"We are working on various models for a partnership with NTPC under a joint-venture agreement wherein NTPC will take over the existing PTPS and set up a mega power project on its vacant land. Tomorrow's discussions will focus on going ahead with the Patratu project in a way that's acceptable to both the state and NTPC. The meet will focus on land, power sharing, extent of financial contribution by the parties and other crucial modalities," Purwar said.

He added: "It's also likely that a formal date to sign the MoU with NTPC is firmed tomorrow."

The five-unit greenfield power project will bypass the biggest hurdle to new industries today - land acquisition - as it can use PTPS land that adds up to 6,300 acres.

"Land apart, the Union coal ministry has already given the state coal linkage at Banhardi block in Latehar. Year-round water is assured, thanks to existing Patratu Dam. So, all the infrastructure needed for a mega power project is in place," Purwar added.

It appears that Patratu's vacant land is NTPC's carrot while the takeover of the ailing plant the stick.

Records reveal that the efficiency of PTPS - the 10-unit facility with six 54-year-old ones set up with Czech Republic and four 35-year-old ones with BHEL - has declined to around 12 per cent at present. Yet, the state spends crores on PTPS for its fuel, operations and maintenance costs and salaries.

However, Purwar stressed on the big picture. "Jharkhand's present power demand is around 2,200MW. It is projected at 5,500MW in the next five years. Ongoing talks with NTPC on taking over PTPS and setting up a 4,000MW thermal power project on its vacant lands are thus in the interest of the state. We want Patratu to be a power hub," he said.