New Delhi: NLC India Ltd (NLCIL), a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, has unveiled an ambitious investment plan of ₹1.25 lakh crore by 2030 aimed at tripling its power generation capacity from the existing 6.7 gigawatt (GW) to 20 GW. This capital expenditure (capex) will span renewable energy, thermal power, battery storage, and mining, according to the company’s Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Prasanna Kumar Motupalli.
“We are having an aggressive capacity addition plan, adding renewable as well as conventional capacity,” Motupalli told media.
Capex Allocation Breakdown
Of the ₹1.25 lakh crore investment–
- ₹65,000 crore will be directed toward renewables and green initiatives, including:
- ₹15,000 crore specifically for battery storage systems
- ₹45,000 crore will be allocated to thermal power projects
- ₹15,000 crore will be invested in mining expansion
Funding Strategy
NLC plans to raise the required capex through a mix of-
Internal accruals
- Domestic loans
- Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)
- External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)
Motupalli confirmed that NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL), the company’s green energy subsidiary, will go public through an IPO within the current financial year, enabling value unlocking and additional capital for green energy projects.
Global Foray: Critical Minerals & Consulting
NLCIL is also actively exploring critical mineral mining abroad, particularly in-
- Lithium mines in Mali
- Copper and cobalt reserves in Congo
With recent experience in securing two critical mineral blocks in Chhattisgarh, the company is doing due diligence for acquiring overseas assets in:
- Vanadium
- Cobalt
- Lithium
- Copper
In parallel, NLC plans to launch international consulting services starting in-
- Sri Lanka
- Bhutan
- Nepal
- Myanmar
- Africa
- Middle East
Project Pipeline & Renewables Push
- NLC has signed an agreement with the Telangana government to supply 200 MW of renewable energy
- A major renewable energy project under construction in Gujarat is expected to be completed in the current financial year
- The company has received in-principle approval to invest up to ₹3,720 crore in NIRL, pending necessary clearances
Strong Financials Back Ambitious Plans
NLC India reported a consolidated net profit of ₹2,714 crore and a total operational income of ₹15,283 crore in the last financial year, highlighting its sound financial footing for expansion.
CMD’s Vision
Motupalli emphasized the company’s transition from being a lignite-based power generator to a diversified energy player aligned with India’s climate and sustainability goals.
