As part of its plan to diversify into the energy business, National Aluminum Company has proposed to set up 3 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 JV with the state owned Orissa Hydro Power Corporation. The aluminum major has evinced its interest to foray into the renewable energy sector in a recent proposal submitted to the state government.

The three projects include Balijhori hydro electric project in Keonjhar district, Barmul hydro power project in Nayagarh district and Middle Kolab hydro power project in Koraput district.

Nalco currently operates 1200 MW Captive Power Plant at Angul. The aluminum major which is in a diversification mode had identified Jharsuguda and Kamakhyanagar as possible locations for setting up of thermal power projects with independent power producer status.

The company aims to set up IPPs through joint ventures with state owned enterprises like Orissa Mining Corporation and Orissa Power Generation Corporation which have been allocated some coal blocks. The company had targeted at least one IPP with a generation capacity of 1000 MW by 2016.

Nalco proposed to set up a 2 X 700 MW nuclear power plant through joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited at Kakrapar in Gujarat. The company would invest about INR 1,700 crore to pick up 49% stake in the project which is targeted to go on stream in 2015.

Meanwhile, Nalco has successfully completed two major Brownfield expansion plans at an investment of INR 7800 crore. This has raised the company's bauxite mine capacity to 6.3 million tonnes, alumina capacity to 2.1 million tonnes, aluminum 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 INR 6000 crore. This will further expand Nalco's alumina capacity to 2.9 million tonnes, aluminum capacity to 0.57 million tonnes and power generation from CPP to 1700 MW. In parallel, Nalco which had lined up an investment of INR 16000 crore for setting up 0.5 million tonne per annum smelter plant and 1260 MW CPP at Brajrajnagar near Jharsuguda is now scouting for alternative locations in Sundergarh and Bolangir districts.

(Sourced from www.worldal.com)