New Delhi, June 13 (IANS): In a first such exercise by a central undertaking, state-run generator NTPC has traded surplus power from its four thermal power stations at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX).

"For the first time, NTPC, the Maharatna public sector undertaking, has traded in un-requisitioned surplus (URS) power from four of its prominent thermal generating stations -- Vidhyanchal, Unchahar, Rihand and Dadri Power - at IEX," a statement here said.

Noting that central generating stations offering cheaper power, which are scheduled on a day-ahead basis, are usually fully scheduled by states, the statement said that in case the state does not wish to utilise the power, it remains un-requisitioned and unsold.

To facilitate utilisation of such un-requisitioned power, the government amended the National Tariff Policy in January, incorporating enabling provisions to allow the central generating companies to trade their un-requisitioned surplus power.

NTPC currently has an installed capacity of over 47,000 MW.

Meanwhile, the union power ministry said on Monday that a total of 8,242 villages in the country have been electrified till date, under the rural electrification programme Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna.

The government has decided to electrify the remaining 10,357 villages by May 1, 2018, a statement here said.