GAIL (India) Limited and Coal India Ltd (CIL) joint venture issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for selecting licensors of coal gasification technology for a proposed coal-based synthetic natural gas (SNG) plant in West Bengal. The move aims to shortlist technology licensors capable of supporting the commercial production of SNG.
The project, estimated at ₹13,052 has received cabinet approval. Coal for the plant will be provided by CIL’s subsidiary, Eastern Coalfields Ltd. In the joint venture, Coal India will own a 51% stake, while GAIL will hold the remaining 49%.
According to the EoI, which was issued by Projects and Development India Ltd (PDIL) on behalf of the JV, responses are sought from internationally recognized technology licensors with expertise in coal gasification.
The proposed plant will have a capacity of 80,000 NM3/hr of synthetic natural gas and will use surface coal gasification technology. The facility will be located in Bardhaman, West Bengal. The deadline for submitting responses to the EoI is October 15.
Earlier in February 2024, Coal India signed a similar agreement with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for India’s first commercial-scale ammonium nitrate plant using surface coal gasification technology.
The project will be implemented through a joint venture, Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL), based in Odisha. As reported by ETEnergyworld.com, the ministry of coal has set a target to promote coal gasification to achieve 100 million tons by 2030.
