Nalco accelerates Rs 30,000 crore aluminium smelter expansion in Odisha
The Navratna company aims to increase its total smelting capacity to nearly one million tonnes annually by 2030-31.
National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) is speeding up preparations for a Rs 30,000 crore brownfield expansion of its aluminium smelter in Anugul, Odisha. According to reports by Deccan Chronicle, Business Standard and Urban Acres, the project aims to add 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to its current 0.46 MTPA capacity, bringing the total to approximately one million tonnes annually.
The company has secured a technology partnership with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to use its proprietary smelting methods for the new plant. To meet the required 1,100 MW of additional power, Nalco has formed a 50:50 joint venture with NLC India Limited to build a 1,080 MW captive thermal power plant. The company also intends to integrate 200-250 MW of renewable energy into the project.
Land acquisition has been a primary focus to move the project forward. Nalco needs about 267.21 acres, of which 130 acres are already held. The remaining 137.21 acres consist of 54.67 acres of government land and 82.54 acres of private land.
A meeting of the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee was recently held to manage compensation and rehabilitation matters.
Nalco is also progressing with its fifth-stream alumina refinery project at Damanjodi. This refinery is expected to produce surplus alumina, which will initially be sent to export markets. The company is currently evaluating locations across India for a separate 0.5 MTPA greenfield aluminium smelter to process this surplus into finished metal.
Nalco Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh said the company is committed to its capacity augmentation plans. He noted that the refinery expansion is at an advanced stage of commissioning and work on the Anugul smelter is progressing steadily. The expansion is targeted for commissioning in 2030-31.