Nalco Plans Green Power Shift for Aluminium Operations
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Nalco Plans Green Power Shift for Aluminium Operations

State-owned National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is accelerating its transition towards renewable energy, with plans to develop 200–300 megawatts of green power capacity backed by battery storage to ensure reliable supply and significantly reduce carbon emissions from its power-intensive smelting operations.

Nalco currently depends entirely on coal-based captive power plants, which account for around 80 per cent of its total carbon emissions. The company aims to ramp up its efforts to produce green aluminium as part of its long-term sustainability strategy, according to Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh.

Power costs form a substantial share of aluminium production expenses, with smelting accounting for roughly 35–40 per cent of total costs. Nalco’s in-house coal-based power is currently priced at around Rs 3–3.5 per unit, while green power tariffs range between Rs 4.5 and 5 per unit, highlighting the cost challenges associated with the transition.

To address these challenges, Nalco is pursuing multiple approaches, including signing power purchase agreements, developing its own renewable power plants and appointing a consultant to design strategies for securing green energy at competitive costs with round-the-clock availability. The planned 200–300 megawatts of renewable capacity with battery storage is expected to play a critical role in reducing emissions while maintaining operational reliability.

Despite higher green power tariffs and concerns over supply consistency, Nalco views the shift as essential for sustainable aluminium production. As part of its green initiatives, the company has already installed 198 megawatts of wind power capacity across various locations in India, along with rooftop solar systems totalling 1,020 kilowatt-peak at its facilities.

Alongside its energy transition, Nalco is advancing major expansion projects in its core aluminium business. The company plans to add a fifth stream at its alumina refinery, increasing capacity from 2.1 million tonnes to 3.1 million tonnes. To secure raw material supply, Nalco is developing the Pottangi bauxite mines in Koraput district, Odisha, with mining lease deeds already signed and operations expected to begin shortly.

Nalco has also commenced coal mining from the Utkal D and E blocks to reduce fuel costs and is undertaking a brownfield expansion of its smelter with an additional capacity of 0.5 million tonnes per annum, reinforcing its growth strategy alongside its sustainability goals.

State-owned National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is accelerating its transition towards renewable energy, with plans to develop 200–300 megawatts of green power capacity backed by battery storage to ensure reliable supply and significantly reduce carbon emissions from its power-intensive smelting operations. Nalco currently depends entirely on coal-based captive power plants, which account for around 80 per cent of its total carbon emissions. The company aims to ramp up its efforts to produce green aluminium as part of its long-term sustainability strategy, according to Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh. Power costs form a substantial share of aluminium production expenses, with smelting accounting for roughly 35–40 per cent of total costs. Nalco’s in-house coal-based power is currently priced at around Rs 3–3.5 per unit, while green power tariffs range between Rs 4.5 and 5 per unit, highlighting the cost challenges associated with the transition. To address these challenges, Nalco is pursuing multiple approaches, including signing power purchase agreements, developing its own renewable power plants and appointing a consultant to design strategies for securing green energy at competitive costs with round-the-clock availability. The planned 200–300 megawatts of renewable capacity with battery storage is expected to play a critical role in reducing emissions while maintaining operational reliability. Despite higher green power tariffs and concerns over supply consistency, Nalco views the shift as essential for sustainable aluminium production. As part of its green initiatives, the company has already installed 198 megawatts of wind power capacity across various locations in India, along with rooftop solar systems totalling 1,020 kilowatt-peak at its facilities. Alongside its energy transition, Nalco is advancing major expansion projects in its core aluminium business. The company plans to add a fifth stream at its alumina refinery, increasing capacity from 2.1 million tonnes to 3.1 million tonnes. To secure raw material supply, Nalco is developing the Pottangi bauxite mines in Koraput district, Odisha, with mining lease deeds already signed and operations expected to begin shortly. Nalco has also commenced coal mining from the Utkal D and E blocks to reduce fuel costs and is undertaking a brownfield expansion of its smelter with an additional capacity of 0.5 million tonnes per annum, reinforcing its growth strategy alongside its sustainability goals.

Next Story
Real Estate

Casagrand Launches 41-Acre Highcity Project in Chennai

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Highcity, a 41-acre integrated residential development on Chennai’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), marking the company’s largest residential project to date.The project will comprise over 4,000 two and three BHK apartments across four G+22 towers and is positioned as one of the largest organised residential developments in the ORR corridor.Located along Chennai’s emerging residential and infrastructure growth belt, the project benefits from connectivity to IT hubs including Navalur, Siruseri SIPCOT and Porur, as well as industrial clusters such as Sriperumbudur, ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Brigade, Marriott Open Courtyard Kochi Infopark

Brigade Hotel Ventures (BHVL) and Marriott International have opened Courtyard by Marriott Kochi Infopark, a rebranded and upgraded hotel formerly operating as Four Points by Sheraton Kochi Infopark.Located in Kakkanad adjoining Infopark Kochi, the 218-room property strengthens Brigade’s hospitality portfolio in one of the city’s key IT and commercial corridors. The hotel is positioned to cater to corporate, MICE and leisure travellers visiting Infopark, SmartCity and other business hubs in Kochi.The property offers flexible workspaces, smart TVs and high-speed WiFi across rooms and suites..

Next Story
Real Estate

WorkEZ Expands South India Portfolio to 1.7 Mn Sq Ft

Work Easy Space Solutions (WorkEZ) has expanded its managed workspace portfolio to approximately 1.7 million sq. ft. across 12 operational buildings and two upcoming developments, strengthening its footprint across South India.The expansion includes the addition of 65,000 sq. ft. at Phoenix One National Park in Chennai and the company’s entry into Kochi through a partnership with Lulu Developers, adding another 70,000 sq. ft.WorkEZ has also signed a 0.4 million sq. ft. development in Coimbatore with Veeras Infra following the successful leasing of 0.1 million sq. ft. in the first phase. The ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

-->