Bhubaneswar – In a major milestone for Odisha’s energy sector, Odisha Coal and Power Limited (OCPL) has become the first state-run entity to secure the Tangaridhi North coal block located in the Sundargarh district during the 12th tranche of commercial coal block auctions conducted by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India.
Historic Win for State-Owned Enterprise
OCPL, a joint venture between the Government of Odisha and Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), achieved this feat through a transparent and competitive bidding process, marking a significant step in the public sector’s growing presence in India’s energy infrastructure.
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Details of the Tangaridhi North Block
The Tangaridhi North coal mine is a partially explored G-13 grade block with an estimated geological reserve of 1,100 million tonnes, including 400 million tonnes of high-quality coal located within a depth of 410 meters. This block is expected to play a critical role in strengthening Odisha’s energy security and fueling future economic growth.
Strategic Expansion of OCPL’s Coal Portfolio
With this new addition, OCPL now holds three major coal blocks, including:
- Manoharpur
- Dip Side of Manoharpur
- Tangaridhi North
The Manoharpur and Dip Side blocks already contribute to Odisha’s power needs with a combined geological reserve of 978.47 million tonnes and a mineable reserve of 664.239 million tonnes. These supply coal to the Ib thermal power station (2×210MW + 2×660MW) operated by OPGC in Banharipali, Jharsuguda district.
Currently, the Manoharpur mine has a production capacity of 16 million tonnes per annum, supporting large-scale power generation and meeting the region’s electricity demands.
Significance and Future Outlook
This latest acquisition reaffirms OCPL’s growing role in India’s coal mining and power generation ecosystem, particularly as the country continues to pursue energy self-reliance and industrial development.
By securing Tangaridhi North, OCPL is now well-positioned to expand coal production, enhance supply stability for thermal power, and contribute to Odisha’s long-term energy resilience and economic progress.
About OCPL
Odisha Coal and Power Ltd. (OCPL) is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) because it is a joint venture between the Government of Odisha and its state-owned entities, the Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC) and the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Limited (OHPC). As a government-owned company, it operates under the state government’s control and focuses on coal mining within Odisha.
