Mahanadi Coalfields is planning to set up a 1,000 mega watt solar power plant between Jharsuguda and Sambalpur in Orissa. There is a plan for vertically integrated solar value chain right from silicon manufacturing from quartz to solar modules and a power plant. Using its mining expertise, the company will produce silicon, basic raw material required for solar cell. MCL plans to produce 6,000 metric tonne of silicon that will be sufficient for the installation of a 1,000 mega watt solar power plant. As of December 2012, the company has already obtained a preliminary report from a consultant for the project