NLC India targets increase in renewable energy generation to 10 GW by 2030, up from 1.4 GW

New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): NLC India Limited, a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise operating under the Ministry of Coal, aims to quadruple existing energy capacity of 1.4 GW, targeting 10 GW by 2030, the Ministry of Coal said in a release on Saturday.

NLC India Ltd. marks its 10th anniversary of renewable energy generation (REG) on Saturday. Significant renewable energy projects are underway in Neyveli, Barsingsar (Rajasthan), Gujarat, and Assam.

On August 28, 2024, NLCIL signed a 25-year power usage agreement with Telangana state DISCOMs for 200 MW of solar energy at a competitive price under the central public sector undertaking (CPSU) scheme.

NLCIL’s corporate strategy aims for a renewable energy capacity of 10,000 MW by 2030. To support this goal, the company has established new subsidiaries–NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL) to enhance renewable energy projects through asset monetization, and NLC India Green Energy Ltd (NIGEL) to advance clean energy initiatives.

NLCIL has been proactive in tackling challenges by exploring various renewable energy projects, including solar and wind power, energy storage systems, green hydrogen, pumped storage hydro projects, converting lignite to methanol, repurposing mine overburden into sand, and critical mineral exploration for sustainability.

NLCIL’s membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) underscores its commitment to environmental sustainability within the coal sector.

It was on this day in 2015 that the company made an entry into the renewable energy sector by launching a 10 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in Neyveli.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Union Minister of Coal & Mines G Kishan Reddy and Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, as well as the support from the Secretary of the Coal Ministry, NLCIL is steadily reshaping India’s energy landscape.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s 2015 call for a transition to renewable energy as the nation moved from “Megawatts to Gigawatts,” NLC India Limited demonstrated its commitment by becoming the first Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in India to achieve 1 GW of renewable energy generation.

Originally focused on lignite-based power generation, NLCIL has expanded into renewable energy, now operating 1,380 MW of solar power plants and 51 MW of wind power plants.

This initiative has produced 1,234 crore units of green energy, effectively preventing 1 crore tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and providing affordable, sustainable power to millions, thereby enhancing air quality.

Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman & Managing Director of NLCIL, congratulated the team for reaching this milestone, highlighting it as a unique achievement resulting from the sustained efforts and initiatives of the NLCIL team.

NLC India Limited is dedicated to continuing this journey, contributing to the target set by the Prime Minister of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, and transitioning from lignite to renewable energy sources for a more aspirational nation.