Neyveli Lignite eyes part in Cheyyur UMPP

State-owned power producer Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) is hoping to take part in the ultra mega power project (UMPP) that is to come up at Cheyyur in Tamil Nadu. The company said it was actively pursuing with Coal India Limited a proposal to acquire and develop coal assets abroad, apart from plans to develop coal mines in India in public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The corporation aims to take its total mining capacity to 64.82 mtpa and that in power generation capacity to 12,790 Mw, which would include solar and wind power, marking its foray into renewable energy. The current power generation capacity of NLC is around 2,600 Mw, and the proposed expansion is estimated to cost over Rs 50,000 crore.

A R Ansari, chairman and managing director, NLC, said, “We are exploring the feasibility of taking part in the UMPP at Cheyyur, as and when it is notified by the government.”