Bhubaneswar: National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is accelerating preparations for its proposed Rs 30,000-crore aluminium smelter expansion in Odisha, with key statutory approvals, technology partnerships and power arrangements in place for the mega industrial project.
The Navratna public sector undertaking plans to expand its smelting capacity at Anugola by 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), taking its total capacity from the existing 0.46 MTPA to nearly one million tonnes annually.
The project, targeted for commissioning in 2030-31, is expected to significantly strengthen NALCO’s aluminium production capabilities and support the country’s growing demand for the metal.
As part of the preparatory process, a meeting of the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) was recently held to facilitate land acquisition and expedite compensation and rehabilitation-related issues.
NALCO has also entered into an agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for licensing its proprietary smelting technology for the proposed plant. The partnership is expected to facilitate the adoption of globally established and energy-efficient aluminium production processes.
Power availability remains a critical requirement for the expansion. The project will need an additional 1,100 MW, for which NALCO has partnered with NLC India Limited to establish a 50:50 joint venture to develop a 1,080 MW captive thermal power plant comprising four units of 270 MW each.
The company is also exploring the integration of 200-250 MW of renewable energy into the project, reflecting its efforts to incorporate cleaner energy sources into its industrial operations.
The expansion is being pursued alongside NALCO’s fifth-stream alumina refinery project at Damanjodi, which is expected to generate surplus alumina even after meeting the requirements of the proposed smelter.
While the surplus is initially expected to be directed towards export markets, NALCO is exploring locations across India for a new 0.5 MTPA greenfield aluminium smelter to convert surplus alumina into finished metal.
The proposed greenfield project would further expand domestic value addition and support the Centre’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
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