Nalco keen to set up three hydro power projects in state

As part of its plan to diversify into the energy business, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has proposed to set up three hydro power projects with a combined capacity of 645 MW in locations identified by the state water resources department.

Nalco wishes to execute these hydel projects either independently or through joint venture with the state owned Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC).

The three projects include Balijhori hydro-electric project (160 MW) in Keonjhar district, Barmul hydro-power project (200 MW) in Nayagarh district and Middle Kolab hydro-power project (285 MW) in Koraput district.

Nalco has successfully completed two major brownfield expansion plans at an investment of Rs 7800 crore. This has raised the company's bauxite mine capacity to 6.3 million tonnes, alumina capacity to 2.1 million tonnes, aluminium capacity to 0.46 million tonnes and power generation capacity from its Captive Power Plant at Angul to 1200 MW.

The company is now ready with its Phase-III expansion plan entailing an investment of Rs 6000 crore. This will further expand Nalco's alumina capacity to 2.9 million tonnes, aluminium capacity to 0.57 million tonnes and power generation from CPP to 1700 MW.In parallel, Nalco which had lined up an investment of Rs 16000 crore for setting up a 0.5 million tonne per annum (mtpa) smelter plant and a 1260 MW CPP at Brajrajnagar near Jharsuguda is now scouting for alternative locations in Sundergarh and Bolangir districts.