Ministry of Coal’s Roadshow on Coal Gasification Receives Encouraging Response from Stakeholders

The Ministry of Coal, Government of India, organized another roadshow in Mumbai on February 21, 2024, aimed at promoting coal/lignite gasification projects across the nation. The event served as a platform to highlight the government’s scheme for the promotion of coal/lignite gasification projects, emphasizing their pivotal role in India’s energy landscape and economic development.

The chief guest of the event was Shri M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal Government of India. Chairman, Western Coalfields Limited, Director (Finance), Coal India Limited and Advisor (Projects), Ministry of Coal also participated in the event.

 

Attended by investors, industry experts, and stakeholders, the event showcased the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the coal sector. The Ministry of Coal aims to catalyse investments and technological advancements in coal/lignite gasification projects through strategic initiatives and policy frameworks, aligning with India’s vision for a cleaner and energy-efficient future.

Delivering the Keynote Address, Shri M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, explained the importance of coal gasification in India’s energy security towards identifying diversified use of coal, help in achieving import substitution, thereby becoming more self-reliant nation. He further emphasized that impetus towards coal gasification will also help in socio-economic development of coal bearing regions. Reiterating government’s unwavering support towards coal gasification such as implementation of financial assistance scheme, offering coal linkages, land for setting up, he called on everyone present to invest in the technology towards a greener and cleaner future.

Addressing the event Shri Mukesh Agrawal, Director (Finance), Coal India Limited provided insights on importance of coal gasification and efforts being taken by the government towards achieving  ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in the field of coal gasification.

Shri. Shubham Goel, Vice President, SBI Capital Markets Ltd., the Project Management Agency to the Scheme, made a presentation on key contours of the scheme for promotion of coal/lignite gasification projects.

 

Shri Jai Prakash Dwivedi, Chairman, Western Coalfields Limited, elaborated on CIL’s proactive initiatives and endeavours in the realm of gasification. He highlighted CIL’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, underscoring the company’s role as a key player in driving the transition towards cleaner energy solutions. He further explained the opportunities in coal gasification and called on interested players having technological capacity to partner with CIL towards building a cleaner future and help achieve the net zero target by 2070.

Industry experts made presentations on key aspects of coal gasification including financing aspects and opportunities in coal gasification; R&D efforts, importance of coal gasification in ensuring India’s Energy Security; High Ash Coal Gasification and Up scaling R&D in High Ash Coal Gasification.

Industry submitted their views on the scheme which was acknowledged by Ministry of Coal who assured to put RFP for the scheme in the public forum for stakeholders’ comments/feedback shortly.

In his concluding remarks, Shri M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal emphasized that this is the right time when the country is ready to diversify into cleaner coal technology, thereby leveraging sustainable practices in the coal sector and invited all industry stakeholders to be part of this journey to become self-reliant in energy space.

The Ministry of Coal exhorted all participants to participate actively in the scheme and work in collaboration to realize India’s energy aspirations through coal/gasification projects.

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BY/ST