Tamil Nadu based NLC India, a Navratna company under the Ministry of Coal is planning to roll out numerous power and mining projects worth Rs 430 billion in value. The new projects are expected to add 3,920 Mw of power, including 1,000 Mw solar power, and 11.50 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of mining capacity to the company.

On July 3, 2020, the company had signed a joint venture agreement with Coal India (CIL) to set up 5,000 Mw of solar and thermal assets across the country. The ratio of equity participation between the two central public sector undertakings as mentioned by NLC India is 50:50. The proposed projects under formulation include a 3X800 Mw power project in Odisha, a 2X800 Mw thermal power plant, 2X660 Mw Thermal power station-II expansion in Neyveli, 1,000 Mw solar power project, and an 11.50 MTPA mining project in Neyveli, according to the company’s annual report. These projects are expected to commence operations between 2023 and 2027.

In September 2019, NLC India completed 709 Mw solar power projects in Tamil Nadu. This milestone increased the solar power generation capacity to 1350 MW making the company the first central public sector enterprise (CPSE) in the country to achieve solar power generation capacity of more than 1 Gw.

According to the company’s annual report, the company added a total of 1,209 Mw during 2019-20 and 17.5 Mw (solar) till June 30, 2020, and retired 400 Mw to its installed capacity. With this addition and retirement, the total installed capacity is now 4661.06 Mw. 

Out of 20 Mw solar power project in Andaman & Nicobar Island, 2.5 Mw was commissioned in December 2018 and the remaining 17.5 Mw on June 30, 2020. The commissioning of the balance 17.5 was delayed by three and a half months because of the disruption caused by COVID 19 and lockdown.

Without stating a reason, the firm has decided to put certain mining and power projects on hold for now. These include 500 Mw Thermal power projects in Rajasthan and 4.15 MTPA mining project in Rajasthan and 4 MTPA mining project in Tamil Nadu. 

But, taking into account the power projects under implementation and also the envisaged acquisition of power assets, NCL India is anticipated to grow to 21 GW power generating company by the year 2025 including Subsidiaries.