Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) has plans to bid for ultra-mega power projects (UMPPs), an entry into wind and hydro power generation, and to develop coal blocks under public-private partnership. The company has a capacity to mine 24 million tonnes of coal per annum (MTPA) and to generate 2,490 MW of power.

The company is also planning NLC Videsh – a unit for acquiring overseas coal assets. It is likely to start producing lignite from Rajasthan-based Barsingsar mine by July 2009. This would take its mining capacity to 30.6 MTPA by 2010. The company’s first unit of 250-MW Barsingsar Thermal Power project might most likely be commissioned in October 2009. The second unit might be commissioned in January 2010.

The total power generation capacity would be 3,240 MW by 2010. NLC Tamil Nadu Power Limited, its JV with Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is setting up a power plant of 1000 MW at Tuticorin. The cost of the project is Rs 49 billion. The plant might be commissioned in 2013. NLC’s profit for financial year ’09 dipped 25.5% to Rs 8.21 billion. Its net sales fell 6.86% to Rs 28.25 billion.