Nalco to add 100 MW wind power capacity at a cost of Rs 700 cr

State-owned aluminium maker Nalco has devised a plan to double its wind power generation capacity to 200 MW with an investment of Rs 700 crore, a top company official said.

"We have decided to install an additional 100 MW wind power generation capacity to our existing 100 MW capacity. An investment to the tune of Rs 700 crore will be required for the addition," Nalco's Chairman and Managing Director Ansuman Das told PTI.

The company has already floated an open tender seeking expression of interests from project developers. The developer would be finalised in a couple of months, he added.

"We will consult with developers on the location for the project. This could be done in one location or in a couple of locations," Das said.

Apart from meeting renewable power generation obligations, the wind power project would help Nalco to widen its green energy and revenue baskets.

"The wind power sector is also going to be a very good business model for the company," he said.

Nalco has 1,200 MW captive power generation capacity. The unit provides entire electric power requirement of aluminium smelter of the company and also feeds for 35 MW of the power requirement to the alumina refinery through the state grid.

The existing capacity of 100 MW wind energy is located in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Gandikota unit with 50.4 MW capacity in Andhra Pradesh was commissioned in December, 2012. Its second wind power plant of 47.6 MW capacity at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan was commissioned in January last year. Both the plants are in operation.

Nalco has diversified operations in mining, metal and power sectors. The company had clocked Rs 7,024 crore sales turnover in 2013-14. Government of India holds 80.93 per cent equity of the company.