The Power Finance Corp is to support plans by the Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) to expand the capacity of its Mine II and raise the capacity of its Thermal Power Station II.

The mine expansion scheme involves increasing the capacity of Mine II from 10.5 million t/year to 15 million t/year while the power plant expansion envisages a capacity increase from 500 MW to 1970 MW. The projects are expected to be completed by the end of the 10th five year plan, in 2007.

NLC is involved in a number of expansion projects in addition to these. Expansion of Thermal Power Station I is underway, with the first new 210 MW unit expected to start generating power in January and a second in May. The two will increase generating capacity to 1020 MW, bringing the company’s total installed capacity to 2490 MW.