NLC India Signs Three MoUs with Odisha for Power and Coal Gasification Projects
NLC India has signed three memoranda of understanding with the Odisha government covering a 3,200 MW thermal power plant and coal gasification projects, with the total investment reported at between Rs 35,000 crore and Rs 37,000 crore. PSU Watch reported the figure as Rs 35,000 crore on 22 October 2026; ProjectsMonitor, Urban Acres and Energetica India Magazine reported Rs 37,000 crore on 23–24 October 2026.
Scope of the Three MoUs
Energetica India Magazine, reporting on 23 October 2026, identified a 3,200 MW thermal power plant as one of the projects covered by the agreements. The remaining MoUs relate to other projects in Odisha, which multiple outlets described as including coal gasification work, though no further breakdown of capacity, site location or phasing is visible in the available headlines.
Projects India already tracks NLC India's existing footprint in Odisha, including a coal project at Talabira, Jharsuguda valued at Rs 2,401 crore. The company also has tracked projects in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, reflecting a pattern of multi-state capital deployment by the public sector undertaking.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Promoter | NLC India |
| State | Odisha |
| Number of MoUs | 3 |
| Thermal power capacity | 3,200 MW |
| Reported investment (range) | Rs 35,000 crore – Rs 37,000 crore |
| Other scope | Coal gasification projects |
| Stage | MoU signed (pre-approval) |
NLC India's Existing Tracked Project Portfolio
Projects India tracks five existing NLC India projects across Odisha, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. These include the Rs 2,401 crore coal project at Talabira in Jharsuguda, Odisha; a Rs 2,700 crore coal mining project at Bithnok, Bikaner, Rajasthan; a Rs 522 crore lignite project at Kolayat, Bikaner, Rajasthan; and a Rs 10,872 crore lignite project at Neyveli, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. The Odisha MoUs, if they progress to construction, would represent a substantial addition to that tracked pipeline.
Fertilisers and Pesticides Sub-Sector Context
The coal gasification element of the Odisha MoUs sits at the intersection of energy and industrial chemicals, a category that includes ammonia and fertiliser feedstock production. Projects India tracks 554 live projects in the Fertilisers and Pesticides sub-sector, with eight added in the last 90 days. Of those, 197 are at the Under Approvals stage, 86 are under construction and 42 are at the planning stage, indicating a pipeline with substantial near-term activity ahead of it.
Gujarat leads the geographic distribution with 181 tracked projects, followed by Maharashtra with 87 and Rajasthan with 50. Odisha does not currently appear in the top states by project count for this sub-sector, but coal gasification assets can anchor downstream fertiliser and ammonia production, as seen in other large Indian projects tracked on the platform, including the Rs 10,600 crore Namrup fertiliser plant in Assam and GAIL India's Rs 10,000 crore ammonia project at Vidarbha, Nagpur, both currently under approvals.
What this means for suppliers and contractors
At the MoU stage, no procurement or tendering activity has been reported for the NLC India Odisha projects. Suppliers and contractors in thermal power plant construction, coal gasification equipment, civil works and balance-of-plant services should monitor these projects as they move through approvals. Projects India currently shows zero open India tenders in the broader Industrial Projects sector, reflecting the early-stage nature of much of the current pipeline.
For those active in the chemicals and fertilisers space, the stage breakdown across the 554 tracked projects — with 197 under approvals and 86 already in construction — points to near-term procurement opportunities concentrated in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Suppliers positioned in those states, or capable of serving Odisha-based projects at scale, should review the Industrial Projects sector overview for emerging opportunities as NLC India's Odisha plans develop further.
Frequently asked questions
How much is NLC India investing in Odisha?
Investment figures reported by outlets range from Rs 35,000 crore to Rs 37,000 crore. PSU Watch reported Rs 35,000 crore while ProjectsMonitor, Urban Acres and Energetica India Magazine reported Rs 37,000 crore. The projects include a 3,200 MW thermal power plant and coal gasification work.
What projects are covered by NLC India's Odisha MoUs?
NLC India signed three MoUs with the Odisha government. Energetica India Magazine identified a 3,200 MW thermal power plant as one project. Multiple outlets also referenced coal gasification projects. No further site or phasing details are available from the reported headlines.
What stage are the NLC India Odisha projects at?
The projects are at the MoU stage as of late October 2026. No approvals, tendering or construction activity has been reported. Suppliers and contractors should monitor the projects as they progress through the approvals pipeline.
