The rupee was trading at Rs 44.35 to the dollar at the time of writing. Aluminium stocks closed lower today with the key losers being Hindalco and Nalco. As per a leading business daily, aluminium major Nalco has envisaged infusing Rs 17 bn as equity in the Kakrapar nuclear power plant in Gujarat to pick up 49% stake. The size of this plant would be 2X700 MW in phase II and is expected to be commissioned by 2015. Further, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) would also be a partner in the project. Other plans on the anvil include setting up a 50 MW windmill in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of Rs 2.7 bn and diversifying into other metals. The rationale for the latter has been attributed to the global liquidity crisis and the need to insulate itself from the volatility caused because of it. The company is looking to diversify into metals such as copper and uranium and in this regard is scouting for assets in Africa and Latin America.