Air Products, Greta Energy and NTPC highlight technological advancements
Detailed presentations were made on the Scheme framework, eligibility criteria, bidding process and the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) at the Coal Ministry’s third Roadshow on the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects in Mumbai on 18 June.
Presentations by Air Products, Greta Energy and NTPC highlighted technological advancements, project development strategies and emerging opportunities in the coal gasification sector. The Government of Maharashtra showcased its policy incentives for cluster-based development, while the State Bank of India shared insights on financing mechanisms for coal gasification projects. The presentations provided stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the policy, technological and financial ecosystem for accelerating coal gasification projects in the country.
The Ministry said the roadshow reinforced its commitment to accelerating coal gasification and fostering greater industry participation in India’s clean energy transition. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from leading industry stakeholders, State representative’s technology providers, investors, coal companies and sector experts, reflecting the growing interest in coal gasification as a transformative avenue for value addition to the country’s abundant coal resources.
The Roadshow was attended by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Coal and Mines.
Reddy highlighted Maharashtra’s emergence as a frontrunner in advancing coal gasification, stating that the State has proactively created an enabling ecosystem by ensuring the availability of land, power and supporting infrastructure for such projects.
He noted that with five coal gasification projects already under development and the strong presence of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), which produces about 70 million tonnes of coal annually, Maharashtra possesses the resources and industrial ecosystem required to evolve into a major coal gasification hub.
He described the State as a model for cooperative federalism, where the Centre, the State Government and industry are working in close partnership to unlock the full potential of coal gasification. He emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government is committed to strengthening energy security, reducing import dependence and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Reddy emphasised that India, endowed with the world’s fifth-largest coal reserves of over 400 billion tonnes, has the opportunity to convert its abundant coal resources into high-value products that can transform the country’s industrial landscape. He noted that India is the world’s second-largest producer and consumer of coal, with Coal India Limited being the largest coal-producing company globally and the Gevra mine in Chhattisgarh among the world’s largest coal mines.
While coal continues to meet over 70 per cent of India’s electricity demand and contributes nearly 55 per cent of the country’s energy mix, he said the Government remains firmly committed to achieving the Net Zero target by 2070 through cleaner and more efficient utilisation of domestic coal resources.
Describing coal gasification as a strategic pillar of India’s future, the Minister said it is central to achieving long-term energy security, import substitution, industrial self-reliance and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
He highlighted that coal gasification enables the production of syngas, methanol, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen, ethanol, urea, sustainable aviation fuel, DRI-grade reducing gas and several other value-added chemicals.
These products, which are currently imported in significant quantities, can increasingly be manufactured domestically through coal gasification, resulting in substantial foreign exchange savings, reduced import dependence and the creation of new industrial value chains across sectors including fertilisers, steel, chemicals, transport and clean energy.
Referring to the National Coal Gasification Mission, Reddy said the Government has set an ambitious target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, and expressed confidence that the Government’s incentive scheme would catalyse large-scale investments, accelerate technology adoption and establish India as a global leader in coal gasification.
He pointed out that the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation and invited constructive suggestions and feedback to further strengthen the implementation framework. Finally, he urged all stakeholders to take ownership of the initiative and work collectively towards making India’s coal gasification programme a global success story.
In his insightful discourse, Chief Minister Fadnavis remarked that the roadshow on Surface Coal & Lignite Gasification rightfully belongs to Mumbai, as the city’s association with coal gasification dates back to 1862. He said that while Mumbai had led the way in coal gasification then, today history is repeating itself as the city once again takes center stage in advancing this transformative technology. Fiinews.com
