New Delhi: State-owned power generator NTPC Ltd is keen to acquire the centre's entire 63.7 per cent stake in Shimla-based hydro power major SJVNL, a senior NTPC executive said.

SJVNL is a joint venture between the central government and the state government of Himachal Pradesh which holds 26.85 per cent.

"We have already written to the centre asking for acquiring the entire stake (owned by the centre) in the company. We have not withdrawn that letter yet," the executive said.



Commenting on the merits of the possible move, he said SJVN operates only two hydro plants. "We are not National Thermal Power Corporation. We would like to take that 'T' out from NTPC. We currently have 21 joint ventures and, if this goes through, we will have 22nd," he said.

At the current market price, sale of a 63.79 per cent stake in SJVN would fetch the centre around Rs 6,700 crore.

The Union cabinet had on Thursday approved power sector lender PFC buying the government's 52.63 per cent stake in Rural Electrification Corporation.