NLC India Signs ₹37,000 Crore Odisha Investment Deals

NLC India has signed three MoUs with Odisha’s IPICOL for proposed investments of ₹37,000 crore, covering a 3,200 MW thermal power plant, beach sand mineral processing and a coal-gasification feasibility study for fertiliser production.

NLC India Limited has signed three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL) to pursue proposed investments totalling ₹37,000 crore in power generation and mineral processing projects in Odisha, also cover a feasibility study on coal gasification for fertiliser production.

The largest proposal involves establishing a 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical coal-based thermal power plant, comprising four units of 800 MW each. NLC India has estimated the investment at ₹35,000 crore, with the project expected to generate approximately 4,000 jobs. The proposed facility is intended to strengthen Odisha’s electricity infrastructure and support the state’s expanding industrial requirements.

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A second agreement concerns a beach sand mineral processing facility, involving a tentative investment of ₹2,000 crore. The project is expected to create around 500 employment opportunities and support the development of mineral-based industries. Beach sand minerals such as ilmenite, rutile and zircon have applications in sectors including pigments, ceramics, aerospace and titanium-based products. However, details on the proposed facility’s location and processing capacity have not yet been disclosed.

The third MoU focuses on assessing the technical feasibility of coal gasification and producing synthesis gas, commonly known as syngas, for potential use in fertiliser manufacturing. Coal gasification converts coal into a gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which can serve as a feedstock for producing chemicals and fertilisers. The agreement does not specify an investment amount for this proposal, as the project remains at the feasibility assessment stage.

The agreements reflect NLC India’s plans to expand its operations in Odisha through power generation, mineral processing and coal-based industrial applications. The proposed projects could support employment, infrastructure development and industrial activity, subject to further planning, approvals and implementation.

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The investment proposals also align with the government’s broader objective of strengthening domestic industrial capacity under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. While the proposed thermal power plant and mineral processing facility account for the stated ₹37,000 crore investment, the scale and timeline of the coal-gasification project will depend on the outcome of the technical assessment.