A high-level meeting was held in Chennai on 02 May, 2025, between Union Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt and Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N Muruganandam to address Tamil Nadu’s energy security challenges. The discussions centred on the State’s coal and lignite requirements for meeting peak electricity demand during the summer and monsoon seasons, with a strong emphasis on proactive coordination to ensure stable and affordable power supply.

According to a press release issued by NLC India (NLCIL), the meeting involved strategic deliberations on the projected power demand in Tamil Nadu and the availability of domestic resources, particularly lignite and coal. Stakeholders assessed supply-side bottlenecks and evaluated measures to bolster energy resilience in the coming months. Crucially, the issue of land acquisition for NLCIL’s projects featured prominently.

The company raised concerns over pending land clearances needed for lignite mining operations and requested the State’s facilitation in expediting the process. Also discussed was the conversion of overburden from mining activities into manufactured sand (M-Sand), an environmentally sustainable move aimed at promoting circular use of resources within the Neyveli mining complex.

Another topic of note was the operational readiness of Neyveli airport. Its activation is seen as essential to improving connectivity and logistical efficiency for NLCIL operations and for facilitating personnel and cargo movement in the region. The meeting also explored the formation of a joint venture between Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation and NLC India Renewables (NIRL), which is expected to play a key role in the State’s energy transition efforts.