Coal gasification to play key role in India's energy security: G Kishan Reddy

At a time when West Asia conflict is spiking global energy prices, the Union Minister for coal and mines, G Kishan Reddy, has highlighted that coal gasification will play an important role in strengthening India's energy security, reducing imports and supporting industrial growth.

He described coal gasification as a key transformative technology and said that it converts coal into Syngas, which can be further used to produce cleaner fuels, chemicals, fertilisers, and hydrogen.

He added that this approach enables more efficient and sustainable use of domestic resources while enhancing economic resilience. Further, he pointed out that energy security has become a strategic priority for the country due to its import dependency for energy. He noted that India imports around 83% of crude oil, 50% of natural gas and over 90% of methanol and fertilisers.

The minister highlighted that the Centre has launched the National Coal Gasification Mission with a target of 100 million tonnes of gasification by 2030, in order to promote the adoption of Coal Gasification. He added that an incentive framework of ₹8,500 crore has been introduced to support public and private sector projects, with several large-scale initiatives already underway and investments exceeding ₹64,000 crore in the pipeline. Besides, advanced technologies such as Underground Coal Gasification were also highlighted for their potential to tap previously inaccessible reserves while reducing environmental impact.

Moreover, he noted that coal gasification spans multiple sectors, including power, oil and gas, and fertilisers, and has called for a collaborative ecosystem involving industry, academia, start-ups, and research institutions. He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to streamlined approvals, supportive policies, and incentives to encourage early participation and investment. He has expressed confidence that with innovation, indigenous technology development, and coordinated efforts, India can emerge as a global leader in clean coal technologies while advancing energy security, sustainability, and self-reliance.