NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) has announced that the Pachwara South open-cast project, operated by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd (NUPPL), its joint venture with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd, has successfully commenced coal production on March 29, 2026.
Supporting Ghatampur Power Project
NUPPL is developing a 3×660 MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant in Ghatampur, Uttar Pradesh. To meet the fuel requirements of this project, the Pachwara South coal block, located in Dumka district of Jharkhand, was allotted to the company by the Union Ministry of Coal in 2016.
Coal Block Details
The Pachwara South coal block, previously unexplored, has now been fully explored by NUPPL through comprehensive drilling across the entire area. The block has extractable coal reserves of 264.84 million tonnes, with a normative mining capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum and an average coal grade of G10.
Strategic Collaboration with NALCO
Separately, NLCIL recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) to strengthen collaboration in the development of thermal and renewable energy projects.
The MoU establishes a structured framework for cooperation in a proposed 1,200 MW captive thermal power project, along with renewable energy initiatives, aimed at meeting NALCO’s captive and long-term power requirements in a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable manner.
Future Growth and Energy Security
The collaboration will also explore long-term power tie-ups, including captive and group captive arrangements, as well as long-term coal supply agreements, ensuring energy and fuel security for identified projects. The MoU further envisages joint project development, including the potential formation of a joint venture company.