ANGUL: The State Government may rope in Nalco as a partner in the expansion of the fifth and the sixth units of Stateowned Ib Thermal Power Plant.

Energy Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak's assurance comes after the Nalco Officers' Association leaders expressed desire before the company to set up an independent power plant with Government at any location in the State to tide over the deficit situation.

Stating that uninterrupted power supply is a must for running Nalco Smelter plant, the leaders said to overcome the situation Nalco has its own captive power plant and is connected to Grid from Meramundali and TTPS, Rengali end. But, presently both feeders of TTPS and Rengali are disconnected while those at Meramundali are connected. As both these feeders are not very reliable either to evacuate power or to draw power in any eventuality due to various problems the association requested the Minister to take necessary measures to charge the other two feeders from Rengali and TTPS end for better system stability.

The association leaders also regretted that though the blue chip company is ready to invest Rs 16,500 crore in western Orissa for setting up aluminium and power plant, lack of environmental clearance by the State Government has buried the project which could have provided 15,000 jobs.

The officers' association was led by BC Ray and Arun Sahu along with other executive members PK Mallick, CR Bisoi, B.Sethy and KK Behera.