Bhubaneswar, Nov 4: National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is steadily progressing with its proposed brownfield Smelter Expansion Project at Anugola in Odisha to augment its smelting capacity by 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), nearly doubling the existing capacity from 0.46 MTPA to approximately 1.0 MTPA.

The project entails an approved investment of approximately ₹30,000 crore, with key statutory approvals, strategic partnerships and enabling initiatives in place to facilitate its implementation.

Recently the meeting of the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) was also held to facilitate the acquisition of requisite land for the proposed Smelter Expansion Project at Anugola and to expedite land acquisition, compensation and rehabilitation issues.

Further, NALCO has entered into an agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for licensing its proprietary smelting technology for the Anugola Smelter plant, ensuring adoption of globally proven and energy-efficient aluminium production processes.

The proposed expansion will require an additional 1100 MW of power. To meet this requirement, NALCO has partnered with NLC India Limited to establish a 50:50 Joint Venture Company (JVC) for setting up a 4 × 270 MW (1,080 MW) captive thermal power plant.

In keeping with its commitment to sustainability and cleaner energy, NALCO is also envisaging the integration of 200–250 MW of renewable energy into the project ecosystem.

The 0.5 MTPA Aluminium Smelter Expansion Project at Anugola is targeted for commissioning during 2030-31, significantly enhancing NALCO’s metal production capacity. NALCO’s expansion initiatives, including the 5th Stream Alumina Refinery Project at Damanjodi and the Smelter Expansion Project at Anugola, are being pursued with the support of the Government of Odisha and the Union Ministry of Mines.

These projects are expected to enhance production capacity, generate employment and promote regional economic growth.

Notably, the commissioning of the ongoing 5th Stream Refinery is expected to generate surplus alumina even after meeting the expanded capacity requirements of the proposed Anugola Smelter.

While the surplus alumina will initially be directed towards export markets, NALCO is proactively exploring suitable locations across India for setting up Greenfield aluminium projects as part of its long-term growth strategy and strengthening self-reliance in the sector.

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In this regard, NALCO is also further evaluating the establishment of a new 0.5 MTPA Greenfield aluminium smelter in the country, aimed at adding domestic value by converting surplus alumina into finished aluminium.

This strategic initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision of enhancing domestic aluminium production and promoting value addition within the country. It further reinforces NALCO’s commitment to the national missions of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, while supporting the growth and competitiveness of India’s aluminium industry.