Neyveli Lignite Corporation has reported a 20 per cent jump in sales and net profit for the third quarter ended December 31, 2012, over the corresponding previous quarter.
Improvements in efficiency and maintenance of equipment and operations have contributed to the growth, according to B. Surender Mohan, Chairman and Managing Director.
Net profit in the third quarter was Rs 221.65 crore (Rs 184.94 crore) on a total income 1,255.70 crore (Rs 1,045.99 crore). This year the lignite mining and power generation company expects to add about 1,500 MW of capacity to add to the present 2,740 MW.
The Thermal Power Station–II expansion of 500 MW at Neyveli is expected to go on stream in two stages, 250 MW each in March and June.
In December, 500 MW of the 1,000 MW NTPL unit in Tuticorin will be commissioned, he said.
It is also diversifying into renewable energy, with 50 MW of wind farms and 10 MW of solar power generation capacity in Neyveli for internal use, Mohan said.
Neyveli Lignite operates three opencast lignite mines — two in Neyveli and one in Barsingar, Rajasthan — with a total annual capacity of 30.60 million tonnes.
Its present power generation capacity of 2,740 MW is distributed across three thermal stations in Neyveli and one in Barsingar.
Lignite production during the quarter touched 56 lakh tonnes (51 lakh tonnes) and power generation 4,575 million units (4045 million units).