NTPC, India’s largest power-producer, reported a second-quarter profit before tax and other items of ₹56.24 billion (~US$639.9 million), up 19.4 % from a year ago. The gains were driven by a roughly 5 % drop in fuel cost, which forms about 60 % of its total expenses, and overall expenses fell 1.6 % to ₹402.18 billion. Installed capacity rose to 83,893 MW with additions of 7,450 MW in the year. Power generation improved despite the plant-load-factor slipping to 66.01 % from 72.28 %.