The Coal Ministry orchestrated an Industry Interaction in Hyderabad to champion coal/gasification projects nationwide. Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India, served as the Chief Guest. The event highlighted on the government’s scheme for coal/gasification projects and its pivotal role in India’s energy landscape. During the Keynote Address, Shri Amrit Lal Meena highlighted the government’s success in involving private players, resulting in a boost in domestic coal production and a notable decrease in coal imports from 26% in 2019 to an expected 19% this year. Highlighting the vital role of coal and lignite gasification projects, he reaffirmed the government’s strong support for cleaner coal technologies and ensuring energy security
Shri M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary & Nominated Authority, delved into the importance and potential of gasification projects in meeting the nation’s energy needs while addressing environmental concerns.
Shri PM Prasad, Chairman, Coal India Limited, expounded on CIL’s proactive initiatives in the realm of gasification, highlighting its commitment to innovation and sustainability. He stressed CIL’s role as a key player in propelling the transition towards cleaner energy solutions. Prasad also elucidated the opportunities in coal gasification and called on interested players with the technological capacity to partner with CIL in building a cleaner future, aligning with the net-zero target by 2070.
Shri. Shubham Goel, Vice President, SBI Capital Markets Ltd., the Project Management Agency for the Scheme, presented the key contours of the scheme for the promotion of coal/gasification projects. Industry experts made presentations on various topics following the Keynote address. The presentations covered opportunities in coal gasification, R&D efforts, Blue Hydrogen Coal Gasification linked with Carbon Sequestration, High Ash Coal Gasification, and Upscaling R&D in High Ash Coal Gasification.
Industry stakeholders submitted their views on the scheme, which were acknowledged by the Coal Ministry. The ministry assured that the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the scheme would be placed in the public forum for stakeholders’ comments/feedback shortly.
In his concluding remarks, Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary (Coal), reiterated the Ministry of Coal’s proactive approach to fostering partnerships, driving innovation, and leveraging sustainable practices in the coal sector. He urged all industry stakeholders to participate in the RFP process transparently and share their valuable inputs.
The event showcased the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the coal sector, catalysing investments and technological advancements in coal/gasification projects, aligning with India’s vision for a cleaner and energy-efficient future.
Coal gasification is a process that converts coal into a gaseous state, typically a mixture of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), and other hydrocarbons. This method involves reacting coal with oxygen, steam, and sometimes a combination of both, under high temperatures and pressures. The resulting syngas (synthetic gas) can be used as a fuel or feedstock for various industrial processes, such as power generation, chemical production, and the synthesis of liquid fuels. Coal gasification is considered a more environmentally friendly approach compared to traditional coal combustion, as it allows for the capture and potential storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
