NLC India Limited, a distinguished Navratna Public Sector Enterprise operating under the Ministry of Coal of the Government of India, proudly celebrates a decade of achievements in renewable energy generation today. This day is particularly significant, commemorating the company’s initiation into the realm of renewable energy on September 28, 2015, when it successfully commissioned a 10 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in Neyveli.
Guided by the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, NLC India Limited is playing a pivotal role in transforming the energy landscape of India. In 2015, responding to the Prime Minister’s call for a comprehensive transition to renewable energy, encapsulated in the phrase “from Megawatts to Gigawatts,” NLCIL emerged as the first Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) in India to achieve a milestone of generating 1 GW of renewable energy.
This remarkable accomplishment reflects the company’s steadfast commitment to sustainable power generation and environmental stewardship. Initially focused on lignite-based power generation, NLCIL has made substantial investments in renewable energy, establishing 1,380 MW of solar power plants and 51 MW of wind power facilities.
To date, the company has successfully generated an impressive 1,234 crore units of green energy, which has played a critical role in averting the emission of 1 crore tonnes of carbon dioxide. This achievement underscores NLCIL’s dedication to providing affordable and sustainable energy, thereby enhancing the quality of life for millions across the nation.
The corporate strategy of NLCIL envisions an ambitious expansion of renewable energy capacity to 10,000 MW by the year 2030. To facilitate this expansion, NLC India has established new subsidiaries, including NLC India Renewables Ltd (NIRL), which will concentrate on asset monetization, and NLC India Green Energy Ltd (NIGEL), dedicated to leading clean energy initiatives.
Additionally, NLCIL’s membership in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) further highlights its commitment to promoting environmental sustainability within the coal sector. Under the leadership of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy, NLCIL is at the forefront of renewable energy innovation, actively pursuing projects in solar and wind energy, Energy Storage Systems (ESS), green hydrogen, pumped storage hydro projects, lignite-to-methanol conversion, and initiatives transforming mine overburden into sand, alongside critical mineral exploration.
Currently, NLCIL boasts a renewable energy capacity of 1.4 GW, with a resolute aim to quadruple this figure by reaching a target of 10 GW by 2030. Significant projects are underway in various locations, including Neyveli, Barsingsar in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Assam. Notably, on August 28, 2024, NLCIL secured a 25-year power purchase agreement with Telangana state DISCOMs for the supply of 200 MW of solar energy at a competitive price, aligning with the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) scheme.
NLC India Limited remains unwavering in its commitment to advancing its renewable energy journey and fulfilling its vital role in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, contributing significantly to a sustainable and aspirational India.
