PTI reported that GVK Power and Infrastructure, the flagship company of Hyderabad based GVK group is planning to have 7,500 MW thermal power generation capacities by 2016-17.

Mr Issac George CFO of GVK Power said "The Plan is to have a thermal power capacity of 7,500 MW. It is at the drawing board currently but we aim to achieve this capacity in next 5 years."

He added that to run the plants the company would import 20 million tonnes of coal a year from GVK Group's intended acquisition of assets of Australia Hancock Coal. The company which has gas based 901 MW power generation capacities is expecting to commission its first thermal plant of 540 MW in Punjab in 2012-13.

He added that moreover, the move is part of a long-term growth plan of the company, which is aiming to have about 12,000 MW power generation capacities by 2016-17.

Currently, new units of 3,530 MW power generation capacities are at various stages of construction and development including 1,390 MW hydro power units.

(Sourced from PTI)