India can significantly reduce its dependence on imports and boost long-term energy security by accelerating coal-to-gasification projects, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said on Thursday, as the government intensified efforts to attract investment into the sector.Speaking at a roadshow on the Centre’s scheme to promote surface coal gasification and lignite projects, Reddy said coal gasification provides an opportunity to convert the country’s vast coal reserves into high-value products like syngas, methanol, hydrogen, ethanol, urea and sustainable aviation fuel.He said many of these products are currently imported in large quantities, and local production through coal gasification can help save foreign exchange, reduce dependence on imports and create new industrial value chains across the fertiliser, steel, chemicals, transport and clean energy sectors.The minister said that India has the fifth largest coal reserve in the world, exceeding 400 billion tons, and possesses the necessary resources to transform its industrial landscape through advanced coal use technologies.India is the world’s second largest coal producer and consumer, while Coal India Limited is the world’s largest coal producer, Reddy said. He added that the Jefra mine in Chhattisgarh is among the largest coal mines in the world.
Coal continues to play a dominant role in the country’s energy system, meeting about 70% of electricity demand and accounting for nearly 55% of India’s energy mix.At the same time, the government remains committed to achieving its goal of reducing net emissions to zero by 2070 through cleaner and more efficient use of domestic coal resources, Reddy said.Referring to the National Coal Gasification Mission, he said the government has set a target of converting 100 million tons of coal into gas by 2030, and expressed confidence that the incentive plan will stimulate large-scale investments and faster technology adoption.The Minister said the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the scheme has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultations, with comments sought to further strengthen the implementation framework.Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also attended the event, said India is entering a new era of coal gasification supported by modern technologies.Emphasizing that energy security is key to the country’s economic growth and resilience, Fadnavis said that over-reliance on imports makes India vulnerable to geopolitical developments and supply chain disruptions.“Atmanirbhar Bharat is the path to Vixit Bharat,” he said, while calling on investors and industry leaders to invest in the emerging industrial and energy ecosystem in Maharashtra.The roadshow was attended by Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, Coal Minister Vikram Dev Dutt, senior officials of the ministry, representatives of coal sector PSUs, industry leaders, technology providers, investors and other stakeholders.