NLC identifies Thirumullaivasal for 4,000 MW power project in Tamil Nadu

Company gets offers from Mozambique, Indonesia and Australia to acquire coal mines

Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) has identified Thirumullaivasal for its proposed 4000 mega watt (MW) power project in Tamil Nadu. NLC also said that it has short-listed offers from Mozambique, Indonesia and Australia for its proposed coal blocks acquisitions.

Addressing the shareholders at Chennai, the company's Chairman-cum-Managing Director B Surender Mohan said that the company has proposed to set up a coal-based thermal power project. Overall capacity would be 4,000 MW in two phases at Srikali in the coastal district of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu at estimated cost of Rs 14,482 crore for phase-I of 1980 MW.

The company has identified Thirumullaivasal as the site for locating the power plant and accorded approval of Advance Action Proposal of Rs 56.52 crore for taking up pre-project activities and feasiblity report is under preparation, he said.

The company has sought Tamil Nadu government's, which holds five per cent stake in the company, approval for issue of administrative sanction for acquisition of land for this project.

"This is one of the key projects for the company, which is proposing to increase its total power generating capacity of the company to 9,241 MW during XII/XIII plan periods and taking into account the power generation capacity of subsidiary companies, the total power generating capacity would be increased to 12,221 MW during XII/XIII plan periods," Mohan said.

On coal development, Mohan said, the Centre allocated Pachwara South Coal block, in the state of Jharkand with a reserve of 305 MT, for the proposed Ghatampur coal-based thermal power project. The Coal Ministry has allocated Jilga-Barpali coal block in Chhattisgarh with a total reserve fo 546 MT to NLC (396 MT for 1,980 MW phase-I of Sirkali project) and Chhattisgarh Power Generation Company Ltd (150 MT).

Company has requested the Ministry of Coal for allocation of suitable alternate block to meet the fuel requirement of the proposed Sirkali Thermal Power Project.

He added the company issued Express of Interest for acquiring coal assets abroad to support company's 4000 MW Sirkali project and issued Expression of Interest for acquiring coal assets abroad.

Mohan said, short-listing of offers received for coal blocks in Mozambique, Indonesia and Australia is in process.

Work order has been issued to SRK Mining Services (India) Pvt LTd, Kolkatta for carrying out techical due diligence study of the short-listed coal blocks, said Mohan.