Jindal Power Limited has acquired the Jhajjar thermal power plant, a 1,320 MW coal-based power plant located in Jhajjar, Haryana, India. This acquisition is a strategic move by Jindal Power to strengthen its base-load capacity and consolidate its position in the Indian power sector.

The Jhajjar thermal power plant is a state-of-the-art facility that uses supercritical technology, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional subcritical technology. The plant has a total installed capacity of 1,320 MW, consisting of two units of 660 MW each. The plant is fueled by coal, which is sourced from domestic mines, and has a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Haryana Power Purchase Center.

The acquisition of the Jhajjar thermal power plant is expected to enhance Jindal Power’s base-load capacity, which refers to the minimum amount of power that is required to meet the continuous demand of a grid. Base-load capacity is critical for ensuring grid stability and reliability, and Jindal Power’s acquisition of the Jhajjar plant will help to strengthen its position in this segment.

Jindal Power is a subsidiary of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), a leading Indian conglomerate with interests in steel, power, and mining. The company has a diversified portfolio of power plants, including thermal, hydro, and renewable energy plants, with a total installed capacity of over 5,000 MW. The acquisition of the Jhajjar thermal power plant will help Jindal Power to further diversify its portfolio and reduce its dependence on any one particular segment.

The Indian power sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand for electricity and government initiatives to promote renewable energy and improve grid infrastructure. The acquisition of the Jhajjar thermal power plant by Jindal Power is a strategic move to capitalize on this growth and strengthen its position in the sector.

Overall, the acquisition of the Jhajjar thermal power plant by Jindal Power is a significant development in the Indian power sector, and is expected to have a positive impact on the company’s base-load capacity and overall growth prospects. The deal demonstrates Jindal Power’s commitment to expanding its presence in the power sector and consolidating its position as a leading player in the industry.

Jindal Steel has achieved a significant milestone in its expansion project in Odisha, India, with the commissioning of a 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) Basic Oxygen Furnace (BoF) at its integrated steel plant in Angul. This addition increases the plant’s crude steelmaking capacity from 6 MTPA to 9 MTPA, marking a crucial step in the company’s Rs 20,000 crore investment plan to scale up operations to 12 MTPA.

The newly commissioned 250 MT BoF converter enables the plant to convert molten iron into steel using gaseous oxygen, a standard process in modern steel production. This enhancement strengthens Jindal Steel’s position as one of the largest single-location steel manufacturing units in India, capable of catering to both domestic and international markets.

In September, the company commissioned a 5 MTPA blast furnace, named the ‘Bhagavati Subhadrika’, which doubled hot metal capacity from 4 MTPA to 9 MTPA. The blast furnace has a useful volume of 5,499 cubic meters, making it one of the world’s largest and most advanced.

Jindal Steel’s long-term strategy is to boost Odisha’s steelmaking capabilities, with plans to eventually scale the Angul facility to 12 MTPA in the near term and target 25 MTPA over the next six years, making it the world’s largest single-location steel plant. The company has already invested close to Rs 1 lakh crore in the state and plans an additional Rs 70,000 crore for capacity expansion and green steel initiatives.

In addition to expanding its steel production capacity, Jindal Steel is also investing in green steel initiatives. The company is partnering with Jindal Renewable Power Private Limited (JRPL) for green hydrogen production in Angul, with the first phase aiming for 4,500 tonnes per annum by December 2025. This green hydrogen will be used in DRI units for low-carbon steelmaking, making it India’s largest green hydrogen investment by a steelmaker.

The Ilva steel plant in Taranto, Italy, has received 10 bids, but only two companies are interested in purchasing all of the company’s assets. The two bidders, Bedrock Industries, a US investment company, and a consortium involving the US private equity firm Flacks Group and Slovak steel trader Steel Business Europe, are still in the running to take over Ilva. The other eight bidders have expressed interest in acquiring single assets held by the company.

The initial frontrunners, Azerbaijan’s Baku Steel Company and India’s Jindal Steel International, have withdrawn from the tender. Baku Steel abandoned its plans due to local opposition to the deployment of a regasification vessel, which was necessary for its project to power more environmentally friendly electric furnaces. Jindal Steel has shifted its focus to Germany’s Thyssenkrupp, which is also on the market.

The Italian government has been trying to sell Ilva, which was once Europe’s largest steel plant, due to its poor management and environmental concerns. The plant has faced years of financial turmoil, with the state injecting funds to keep it afloat. The government has cited its strategic importance as the reason for its support.

The latest tender round closed on Friday, and Acciaierie d’Italia, the national steelmaker, said its commissioners would need time to examine all the offers. They will focus on employment aspects, decarbonization, and investment amounts to ensure the sustainable development of the plant.

However, Italy’s metalworkers’ union, UILM, has criticized the tender, calling it “a total failure.” The union said that the two investment funds bidding for all of Ilva’s assets lack industrial credibility and that nationalization is the only way forward to avoid the total closure of the plant and an environmental, employment, and economic disaster. The union’s statement highlights the concerns of the workers and the community about the future of the plant and the potential consequences of its closure.

Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) has successfully commissioned its new blast furnace, named “JSPL Angul Blast Furnace”, at its integrated steel plant in Angul, Odisha. This blast furnace is India’s second-largest, with a capacity of 4554 cubic meters. The commissioning of this furnace marks a significant milestone for JSPL, as it will enable the company to increase its steel production capacity and reduce its dependence on external suppliers.

The JSPL Angul Blast Furnace is designed to produce 4.53 million tons of hot metal per annum, which will be used to produce steel. The furnace is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a advanced automation system, to ensure efficient and safe operation. The commissioning of the furnace was done in a record time of 28 months, which is a testament to the company’s engineering and project management capabilities.

The new blast furnace will not only increase JSPL’s steel production capacity but also help the company to reduce its costs and improve its profitability. The furnace will use a combination of coal and iron ore to produce hot metal, which will then be used to produce steel. The company has also implemented various energy-saving measures, such as waste heat recovery and power generation, to reduce its energy consumption and carbon footprint.

The commissioning of the JSPL Angul Blast Furnace is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy, as it will create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the region. The company has already created over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs at its Angul plant, and the new furnace is expected to create additional employment opportunities.

The JSPL Angul Blast Furnace is a significant addition to India’s steel production capacity, and it will help the country to achieve its goal of becoming a major steel producer. India is currently the second-largest steel producer in the world, and the commissioning of this furnace will further strengthen its position in the global steel market. Overall, the commissioning of the JSPL Angul Blast Furnace is a major achievement for JSPL, and it will have a positive impact on the company’s growth, the local economy, and the Indian steel industry as a whole.

The Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel, has undertaken a massive tree plantation drive across India, planting 75,000 saplings to commemorate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday. In Odisha, the foundation joined the state government’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” initiative, planting 55,000 saplings under the guidance of Naveen Jindal, Chairman of Jindal Steel. The plantation drive was conducted across the foundation’s operational sites in Angul, Barbil, Tensa, and Kasia, involving thousands of employees, women self-help groups, farmers’ clubs, community members, students, and volunteers.

The drive also saw participation from government officers, teachers, nature lovers, and local panchayat members. Notably, the saplings planted were fruit-bearing trees and plants with medicinal value, ensuring long-term ecological, health, and nutritional benefits for the communities. In Angul, the foundation planted saplings in Benagadia and Derjang villages, covering over 20 acres of land. Similar community plantation drives were conducted in Barbil, Tensa, and Kasia, covering four gram panchayats and planting 12,000 saplings.

Shallu Jindal, Chairperson of Jindal Foundation, expressed pride in being part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, which combines environmental responsibility with a sacred emotional connection to one’s mother. The foundation’s efforts aim to promote environmental sustainability and community development, while also fostering a sense of social responsibility among its employees and stakeholders. By planting trees with medicinal and nutritional value, the foundation hopes to create a positive impact on the environment and the communities it serves. The initiative is a significant step towards promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development in the region.