TNPL Announces ₹607 Crore Projects for Energy Efficiency, Wastewater Treatment, and Solar Power

Tamil Nadu Newsprint & Papers Ltd. (TNPL) is embarking on a series of projects valued at ₹607 crore, which encompass energy efficiency improvements, a 2MW rooftop solar initiative, and the construction of a 500 M3 wastewater treatment facility.

The central focus of the project is the "Revamping of Steam and Power System (RSPS) #2," aimed at seamlessly integrating RSPS #2 with the existing coal feeding and steam and power distribution systemsThe project, initially initiated in 2019 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to be carried out in phases, with completion expected by June 2025. A significant portion of the capital outlay, amounting to ₹520 crore, will be invested, with ₹100 crore allocated for the current fiscal year, according to M Sai Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of TNPL.

This initiative involves the installation of two high-pressure boilers, which will ensure a reliable supply of utilities such as steam and power to support the mill's operations.

In parallel, TNPL has initiated a floating solar project with a 2 MW capacity, with an estimated cost of approximately ₹12 crore for the current fiscal year.

TNPL, in which the Government of Tamil Nadu holds a 35.32 percent stake, has already established captive power plants with a total capacity of 103.69 MW as of March 31, 2023. Additionally, TNPL operates wind farms with a combined capacity of 35.5 MW. In the fiscal year 2023, the company generated an impressive 394.51 lakh units of green power.

Furthermore, TNPL has proposed the installation of a 500 M3/day wastewater treatment plant at Unit-1. This plant will be designed to treat effluent and enable its internal reuse for mill operations, effectively reducing the effluent discharge rate to less than 25 M3/MT of paper. The estimated project cost for this wastewater treatment initiative stands at ₹75 crore.

Speaking at the company's recent annual general meeting, Sai Kumar articulated TNPL's vision to become the market leader in paper and paperboards. As part of this vision, the company aims to achieve a production capacity of 1 million tonnes by 2030, a substantial increase from the projected 6 lakh-plus tonnes in FY24, with the ultimate goal of becoming the most preferred supplier. He emphasized, "In this context, the company has prepared a roadmap for the next 5 years."

Moreover, TNPL is actively exploring new segments to diversify into value-added products using paper and boards as raw materials. The company is engaging in discussions with paper machine manufacturers to venture into novel categories of value-added papers. TNPL is committed to advancing its presence in the industry and contributing to sustainability and efficiency.

HBL