THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BENGALURU, JUNE 24, 2026
Reinforcing its commitment to cleaner and more efficient
utilisation of coal, India hosted a high-level BRICS Side Event on Clean Coal
Technologies with a special focus on coal gasification, bringing together
senior government officials, public sector enterprises, industry leaders,
technology providers, and delegates from Russia, Ethiopia and the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) to explore collaborative pathways for sustainable energy and
industrial growth.
Delivering the keynote address, Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional
Secretary, Ministry of Coal, underscored the strategic importance of coal
gasification in enhancing India's energy security and accelerating industrial
development. He highlighted that coal gasification facilitates the conversion
of coal into synthesis gas (syngas), which can be used to produce ammonia,
methanol, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), and several
other value-added products.
Emphasising the transformative potential of the technology,
Jha said coal gasification can significantly reduce India's dependence on
imports while enabling the efficient utilisation of the country's abundant
domestic coal reserves. He reiterated the Government of India's commitment to
achieving its ambitious target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030
through a combination of policy support, financial incentives, assured coal
linkages, and coordinated inter-ministerial efforts.
Jha also highlighted the steady progress being made through
various coal gasification initiatives across the country and stressed the
importance of stronger cooperation among BRICS nations to accelerate the
development and deployment of clean coal technologies.
The event featured a series of technical presentations
showcasing advancements and ongoing projects in the sector. Bharat Heavy
Electricals Limited (BHEL) presented its coal gasification technology
capabilities, while Jindal Steel Limited (JSL) and Greta Energy shared insights
into their coal gasification projects and discussed the broader relevance of
the technology for BRICS economies.
Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) highlighted the progress of
the Kasta Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) Pilot Project, while the
Nominated Authority presented updates on coal block allocation mechanisms and
policy initiatives supporting UCG development. Coal India Limited (CIL)
showcased its coal linkage provisions and outlined the various coal
gasification projects currently being undertaken by the company.
An interactive panel discussion brought together experts and stakeholders to deliberate on critical aspects of coal gasification, including technological advancements, project economics, geological and processing challenges, the utilisation of high-ash Indian coal, and the policy and financial frameworks needed to promote wider adoption of the technology.
The BRICS side event emerged as a significant platform for sharing knowledge, experiences and best practices among participating countries and industry stakeholders. It underscored the growing role of coal gasification in strengthening energy security, supporting industrial development, and enabling cleaner utilisation of coal resources, while fostering international cooperation in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
