Water Conservation

Water Conservation

NTPC recognizes water as a critical natural resource and is fully committed to its sustainable and efficient management. Guided by the 3R principle-Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle- we continuously optimize water usage across all operations through advanced monitoring, technology adoption, and process improvements.

Nearly all our thermal power stations operate with closed cycle cooling systems and cooling towers, significantly reducing water withdrawal. We are systematically increasing cycles of concentration (CoC) and reusing high-TDS blowdown water within auxiliary processes to minimize freshwater intake. we have also implemented advanced water management systems to maximize reuse and minimize discharge. The Ash Water Recirculation System (AWRS) and Toe Drain Water Recirculation System recover and recycle water from ash slurry and dyke toe drains for ash handling processes. Most stations have adopted Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) practices, using a cascaded water utilization approach to optimize quality and reduce wastage. Our Liquid Waste Treatment Plant (LWTP) treats effluent from various sources, enabling reuse for operations such as coal and ash handling. 

As part of NTPC’s long-term water conservation strategy, we have prioritized the deployment of Air-Cooled Condensers (ACC), which significantly reduce freshwater requirements in power generation. Unlike conventional water-cooled systems, ACC technology uses air as the cooling medium, minimizing water consumption by nearly 60 % compared to traditional wet cooling towers. NTPC has already commissioned India’s      first large-scale Air-Cooled Condenser at the North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project (3x660 MW), setting a new benchmark for water-efficient thermal power generation in the country We are actively exploring ACC deployment in all feasible greenfield projects, including those outside water-stressed regions, to further reduce water dependency and enhance climate resilience. This initiative directly supports our goal of sustainable water management and achieving lower specific water consumption across our portfolio.

Water Consumption

Water Requirement Reduction as per NTPC’s 3R

For more information on our water conservation practices, click here...

• Our water conservation policy
• Our water conservation compendium 2024