NLC green power portfolio to touch 1,700 Mw by 2017

Public sector mining and power major Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) is harping on green power technology to drive its future growth.

The ‘mini ratna’ plans to generate almost 1,700 Mw under green technologies of the company’s total installed capacity of 10,000 Mw by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan in 2017.

“We aim to have 1,000 Mw of hydro power generation capacity, besides 500 Mw and 200 Mw of wind and solar energy capacities respectively by 2017,” NLC chairman and managing director (CMD) A R Ansari said at a conference call here.

Besides, the company will ramp up its mining capacity from 24 million tonnes at present to 75 million tonnes during 2012-17.

At present, NLC operates three thermal power stations with an installed capacity of 2,500 Mw.

Further, it is also pursuing other power projects in Gujarat (500 Mw), Rajasthan (1,000 Mw) and Orissa (2,000 Mw). “We are exploring solar energy project in Rajasthan and wind energy project in Gujarat as these states do not have coal deposits,” he added.

“We are also holding talks with the Uttar Pradesh government for setting up a 2,000 Mw thermal power plant in Kanpur Dehat district with an investment of almost Rs 20,000 crore. The plant will take under 5 years to commission after it is cleared by the state cabinet,” he informed.

Ansari said the company was ready to offer up to 49 per cent of power to UP from the proposed plant at Kanpur according to the equity participation of NLC and the state government.

NLC is scouting for mining properties and thermal projects abroad, especially Indonesia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.