The ministry of coal has ramped up efforts to promote coal gasification, positioning it as a cornerstone of India’s transition to cleaner fuels and greener technologies. The initiative aligns with the country’s long-term vision for sustainable and inclusive growth under the ‘Developed India 2047’ roadmap.
Coal Gasification: A Cleaner Alternative
Coal gasification transforms solid coal into syngas—a blend of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. This synthetic gas can be further processed into cleaner fuels and valuable chemicals such as methanol, ammonia, and synthetic natural gas (SNG). According to the ministry, the process not only reduces emissions but also supports energy self-reliance and a cleaner industrial future.
Tapping Abundant Coal Resources for Sustainability
With coal being one of India’s most abundant natural resources, this technology provides a sustainable and alternative use of coal. Instead of traditional combustion, gasification allows coal to power the production of downstream products like ammonium nitrate, fertilizers, and fuels, aligning industrial development with environmental goals.
Government Incentivizes Private and Public Sector Participation
In a significant policy move, the government has approved an outlay of ₹8,500 crore in financial incentives. These incentives aim to promote coal gasification projects across both public sector undertakings (PSUs) and the private sector. This support is expected to accelerate adoption of the technology nationwide.
CIL and GAIL Join Forces for SNG Plant in West Bengal
Marking a major milestone, Coal India Limited (CIL) and GAIL (India) Limited have entered into a joint venture to establish a Coal to Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) plant. The facility will be based on surface coal gasification technology and located in the Raniganj area of Eastern Coalfields Limited, West Bengal.
Once operational, the plant will produce 80,000 Nm³ per hour of SNG, amounting to an annual output of 633.6 million Nm³. To support this production, CIL will supply 1.9 million tons of coal annually. This strategic partnership is between two of India’s leading Maharatna companies. It represents a powerful step forward in advancing the goals of the National Coal Gasification Mission.
A Strategic Leap Toward Energy Independence
The coal gasification drive is not only about reducing the carbon footprint. It is also a critical move toward leveraging indigenous resources, reducing import dependence, and building a resilient, future-ready energy ecosystem. Etenergyworld.com reports that strong government backing and industry participation position gasification to become a key pillar in India’s clean energy transition.
