Coal Ministry Propels Green Energy Transition with Industry Interaction in Hyderabad

Hyderabad:  The Ministry of Coal, Government of India, organized a crucial Industry Interaction in Hyderabad today, focusing on the promotion of coal and gasification projects nationwide. Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, was the Chief Guest, leading discussions on the government’s initiatives to boost the coal and gasification sector, highlighting their pivotal role in India’s energy landscape and economic development.

In his Keynote Address, Shri Amrit Lal Meena emphasized the significance of coal in India’s energy security and outlined the government’s efforts to involve private players, resulting in increased domestic coal production and a substantial reduction in coal imports. He stressed the importance of coal and lignite gasification projects in India’s energy transition, showcasing the government’s unwavering support through initiatives promoting cleaner coal technologies, easier land availability, financing, and incentives to enhance energy security.

Shri M. Nagaraju, Additional Secretary & Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, delved into the importance and potential of gasification projects in addressing the nation’s energy needs while also addressing environmental concerns.

Chairman of Coal India Limited, Shri PM Prasad, highlighted CIL’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. He discussed CIL’s role as a key player in driving the transition towards cleaner energy solutions and urged interested players with technological capacity to partner with CIL for a cleaner future and the net-zero target by 2070.

Shri. Shubham Goel, Vice President, SBI Capital Markets Ltd., the Project Management Agency to the Scheme, presented key aspects of the scheme for promoting coal and gasification projects.

The Industry Interaction featured presentations by experts on various topics, including opportunities in coal gasification, R&D efforts, Blue Hydrogen Coal Gasification linked with Carbon Sequestration, and High Ash Coal Gasification. Industry stakeholders submitted their views on the scheme, with the Coal Ministry committing to placing the Request for Proposal (RFP) in the public forum for stakeholders’ comments and feedback shortly.

Concluding the event, Shri Amrit Lal Meena reiterated the Ministry’s proactive approach to fostering partnerships, driving innovation, and leveraging sustainable practices in the coal sector. He called upon industry stakeholders to actively participate in the RFP process, emphasizing transparency and openness.

The Industry Interaction showcased the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in the coal sector. Through strategic initiatives and policy frameworks, the Ministry of Coal aims to catalyze investments and technological advancements in coal and gasification projects, aligning with India’s vision for a cleaner and energy-efficient future.