Nalco moves ahead with ₹30,000 crore smelter expansion in Odisha
The project aims to increase the state-run producer's total aluminium smelting capacity to approximately one million tonnes annually by 2030-31.
National Aluminium Company (Nalco) is progressing with a ₹30,000 crore smelter expansion project in Anugul, Odisha, according to Urban Acres. The brownfield project is intended to increase the company's annual aluminium smelting capacity by 0.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2030-31.
The new standalone plant will be built next to the existing Nalco aluminium complex in Anugul. This expansion is expected to raise the total smelting capacity of the state-run producer from 0.46 mtpa to nearly one million tonnes per year.
To support the facility, Nalco has partnered with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to license proprietary smelting technology. The company stated this collaboration will provide an energy-efficient technology base for the plant, which is targeted for commissioning in 2030-31.
Land acquisition remains a key factor, as the company needs approximately 267.21 acres for the expansion. While Nalco holds about 130 acres, it still needs to acquire 137.21 acres, consisting of 54.67 acres of government land and 82.54 acres of private land.
The project will require an additional 1,100 megawatts of power. Nalco has formed a 50:50 joint venture with NLC India to build a captive thermal power plant with a combined capacity of 1,080 MW, and plans to integrate 200-250 MW of renewable energy.
Nalco Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh said the company is committed to its capacity augmentation plans. He noted that groundwork for the Anugul project is progressing steadily while the fifth-stream refinery expansion at Damanjodi is at an advanced commissioning stage.