NLC India and Odisha Sign MoU for 3,200 MW Coal Power Project
NLC India Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state of Odisha for the establishment of a 3,200 MW ultra super-critical coal-based power plant. APAC Media, reporting on 24 October 2026, placed the project value at Rs 35,000 crore. The Hindu, reporting on 23 October 2026, confirmed the 3,200 MW capacity and the ultra super-critical technology classification but did not state a project value. The Rs 35,000 crore figure is therefore reported by one outlet only and should be treated accordingly until corroborated.
Project at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Promoter | NLC India Limited |
| Location | Odisha |
| Capacity | 3,200 MW |
| Technology | Ultra super-critical coal-based |
| Project value | Rs 35,000 crore (reported by APAC Media only) |
| Stage | MoU signed |
NLC India's Existing Footprint in Odisha and Beyond
Projects India already tracks several active projects linked to NLC India Limited. In Odisha, the company has a coal project at Talabira, Jharsuguda, valued at Rs 2,401 crore. Elsewhere, NLC India tracks a coal mining project at Bithnok, Bikaner, Rajasthan (Rs 2,700 crore), a lignite project at Kolayat, Bikaner, Rajasthan (Rs 522 crore), a lignite project at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu (Rs 10,872 crore), and a treated effluents project also at Neyveli. The proposed 3,200 MW plant would represent a significant expansion of the company's generation portfolio in eastern India, though the MoU stage means detailed project parameters are yet to be established in the public domain.
Odisha's Position in India's Thermal Power Pipeline
Odisha is the most active state for thermal based power projects tracked by Projects India, with 132 projects on record — ahead of Chhattisgarh (131), Madhya Pradesh (100), Andhra Pradesh (97), Maharashtra (96) and Tamil Nadu (95). The state's coal resource base and existing grid infrastructure have made it a recurring destination for large-scale generation investments. The NLC India MoU adds to a pipeline that already includes the GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited coal-based thermal expansion at Dhenkanal (Rs 7,500 crore, approvals received stage) and a power plant manufacturing unit project at Rengali, Sambalpur, currently under construction.
Sector-Wide Pipeline: Where Projects Stand
Across the power projects sector, Projects India tracks 1,249 live thermal based power projects nationally. Of those, 502 are under approvals, 142 are in construction, 193 are completed, 95 are at planning stage, 81 are on hold and 134 have been cancelled. Eight new thermal based power projects were added to the tracked database in the 90 days prior to this report. The high share of projects at the approvals stage — more than 40 per cent of the active pipeline — reflects the regulatory and land-clearance intensity of large coal-based projects, a characteristic that also applies to the NLC India Odisha plant given its current MoU status. There are currently no open India tenders in the power projects sector recorded by Projects India. Suppliers and contractors monitoring this project should note it is at a pre-tender stage and that procurement activity is unlikely until approvals are secured. For context on the broader direction of India's thermal capacity ambitions, see the NTPC nuclear programme linked to India's 100 GW thermal capacity plan.
What this means for suppliers and contractors
At MoU stage, the NLC India Odisha project is at the earliest point in the capital project lifecycle. No scope, tender or contractor detail is yet in the public domain. However, at 3,200 MW and a reported value of up to Rs 35,000 crore, the plant — if it advances — would generate procurement requirements across boiler and turbine manufacturing, civil and structural works, electrical systems, water treatment, coal handling and ancillary balance-of-plant packages.
Odisha's existing thermal pipeline, with 132 tracked projects, means supply chain and logistics infrastructure in the state is relatively well developed, which can reduce mobilisation lead times for contractors already active in the region. Suppliers should note that the bulk of Odisha's tracked projects remain at approvals or planning stage, meaning competitive intensity for awarded work is concentrated in a smaller number of construction-ready schemes.
With 502 thermal projects nationwide sitting under approvals, the broader market offers early-engagement opportunities for equipment makers and EPC contractors who track the pre-tender pipeline. Projects India's full tracked project database covers all stages from planning through construction across this sub-sector.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity and value of NLC India's proposed Odisha power plant?
NLC India Limited has signed an MoU for a 3,200 MW ultra super-critical coal-based power plant in Odisha. APAC Media reported the project value at Rs 35,000 crore; The Hindu confirmed the capacity and technology but did not report a value figure.
What stage is the NLC India Odisha power plant at?
The project is at MoU stage as of late October 2026. No approvals, tendering or construction activity has been reported. Suppliers and contractors should expect a significant lead time before procurement begins.
How many thermal power projects are tracked in Odisha?
Projects India tracks 132 thermal based power projects in Odisha, the highest count of any state in the country, ahead of Chhattisgarh with 131 and Madhya Pradesh with 100.
What other projects does NLC India have in Odisha?
Projects India tracks a coal project for NLC India at Talabira, Jharsuguda, Odisha, valued at Rs 2,401 crore, in addition to the newly reported 3,200 MW power plant MoU.
