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A significant Rs 25,000 crore investment by BHEL and Coal India Limited is set to transform Odisha's coal sector. This ambitious project will explore coal gasification, moving beyond traditional power generation to unlock new opportunities in fertilizer production and boost downstream industries. View More
Jharsuguda: Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 25,000 crore in a coal gasification project in Odisha, marking a major step towards expanding the use of coal beyond conventional power generation. Speaking to reporters in Jharsuguda during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, the Minister said the initiative would open new opportunities in fertiliser production while creating jobs in the region. "Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President Droupadi Murmu have ushered in a new chapter for Odisha's coal sector. Moving beyond the traditional use of coal, new avenues will now open up through coal gasification," Reddy said. Highlighting the scale of investment, the Minister said, "Today, BHEL and Coal India Limited are jointly investing Rs 25,000 crore in this initiative." He said the project is expected to strengthen downstream industrial activity in the state and generate employment opportunities. Live Events "This will facilitate fertiliser production and create employment opportunities for local people, proving highly beneficial for Odisha," Reddy added. The Minister also underlined the Centre's broader push towards coal gasification as part of efforts to diversify coal utilisation and reduce import dependence in sectors such as fertilisers and chemicals. "The Central Government is providing Rs 46,000 crore for coal gasification," he said. Coal gasification converts coal into synthesis gas, or syngas, which can be used to produce chemicals, fertilisers, synthetic fuels and other industrial products. The technology is seen as a way to enhance the value of India's vast coal reserves while supporting industrial development. The Centre has been promoting coal gasification projects to encourage cleaner and more efficient utilisation of domestic coal resources and reduce reliance on imported feedstock for key industries. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
A significant Rs 25,016-crore coal gasification project in Odisha, recently inaugurated by President Murmu and PM Modi, is set to fulfill nearly 35% of India's ammonium nitrate needs by 2030. This pioneering initiative, utilizing indigenous technology, promises to slash imports by 0.66 million tonnes annually, saving over USD 360 million in foreign exchange each year and bolstering India's self-reliance in strategic industrial products. View More
New Delhi, Jun 20 (PTI) The Rs 25,016-crore coal gasification project in Odisha, whose foundation stone was laid on Saturday, is expected to meet nearly 35 per cent of India's projected ammonium nitrate demand by 2030, industry experts said. Once operational, the plant would reduce imports by about 0.66 million tonnes annually and generate foreign exchange savings of more than USD 360 million every year, they added. Over its operating life, cumulative savings from import substitution could exceed USD 9 billion, the industry said. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly laid the foundation stone for the Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district of Odisha. The project, being developed by Bengal Coal and Gasification Company Ltd -- a joint venture of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Coal India Ltd (CIL) -- will use indigenous coal gasification technology to convert locally available coal into synthesis gas, which will then be processed into ammonium nitrate -- a crucial feedstock for fertiliser and industrial explosives. Live Events You Might Also Like:President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi unveil projects worth over Rs 47,600 crore in Odisha "Today's foundation stone laying of the BCGCL Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Project marks a defining moment in India's industrial evolution. This is not merely the inauguration of an ammonium nitrate plant; it is the emergence of a new coal-to-chemicals ecosystem that demonstrates how India's abundant coal resources can be transformed into strategic industrial products," Balasaheb Darade, Founder & Managing Director, New Era Cleantech Solution Pvt Ltd, said. The Prime Minister deserves immense credit for recognising that true energy security in the 21st century extends beyond fuels to strategic molecules, he said, adding that his vision has transformed the national conversation from 'mines and megawatts' to "molecules and manufacturing". The National Coal Gasification Mission and the target of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030 have created the foundation for a new industrial revolution. "If the refinery revolution unlocked value from crude oil, coal gasification can unlock similar value from India's vast coal reserves through ammonia, ammonium nitrate, methanol, hydrogen, synthetic fuels and downstream chemicals. India's coal is no longer just a fuel -- it is becoming a strategic industrial resource capable of powering the nation's journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat," he said. Gasification Technologies & Research Council (GTRC) Chairman Amrit Lal Meena, former coal secretary, said at a time when geopolitical uncertainties continue to impact energy security, fertiliser and chemical markets, coal gasification offers India a pathway to greater resilience. Prime Minister's vision for coal gasification is timely and transformational. By positioning coal gasification as a national mission, the government has created the framework for India to convert its natural resource advantage into economic strength. The BCGCL project represents one of the most important milestones in India's coal sector. For decades, coal was primarily fuelling power. BCGCL demonstrates that coal can also become a source of high-value chemicals, fertilisers, industrial feedstocks, and strategic manufacturing growth, Meena said. The significance of this project extends far beyond its production capacity. It showcases India's first indigenous pressurised fluidised bed coal gasification technology developed by BHEL, establishing a technological foundation for future coal-to-chemicals investments across the country. Every successful gasification project strengthens India's capability to build domestic technology, manufacturing and supply chain, he added. Coal gasification is emerging as a key pillar of India's strategy to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported critical feedstocks, promote value addition to domestic coal resources and support the development of downstream industries. The process converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas), which can be used to produce a wide range of value-added products such as methanol, urea, ammonium nitrate, synthetic natural gas, and other chemical feedstocks. Recognising the transformative potential of coal gasification, the government has approved incentive schemes with a cumulative outlay of up to Rs 46,000 crore to promote surface coal and lignite gasification projects across the country. The initiative aims to accelerate the establishment of coal gasification projects across the country, encourage the use of domestic coal for strategic industrial and chemical outputs, and reduce dependence on imports of natural gas, methanol, ammonia, and other critical feedstocks. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! 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Tiger Logistics (India) Ltd has secured a new import logistics mandate worth ?4 crore from Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd for transporting 13 over-dimensional cargo units from Italy to India, reinforcing their partnership and showcasing the firm's logistics capabilities. View More
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) has achieved Navratna status, a significant upgrade granting it greater financial and operational autonomy. This elevation, approved by the Union Finance Minister, makes CPCL the 28th such enterprise in India. The company, a subsidiary of IndianOil, boasts a substantial refining capacity and a diverse product range, underscoring its growing importance in the energy sector. View More
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL) has been upgraded to Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status, with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approving the elevation. The announcement was made by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) under the Ministry of Finance. With this, CPCL becomes the 28th Navratna among all CPSEs in India. CPCL, which operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, posted an annual turnover of Rs 59,400 crore in FY 2025-26. Prior to this upgrade, the company held Miniratna Category-I status. Also read: Oil cos weigh refinery price freeze; move may hit MRPL, CPCL What the Navratna tag means The Navratna classification, introduced by the government in 1997, grants Central Public Sector Enterprises significantly enhanced financial and operational autonomy. A Navratna CPSE can invest up to Rs 1,000 crore or 15% of its net worth on a single project without seeking prior government approval. The status also empowers companies to establish joint ventures overseas, access new markets, leverage local expertise, foster innovation through technological alliances, and facilitate mergers and acquisitions. Live Events — DPE_GoI (@DPE_GoI) To qualify for the status, a CPSE must be a Miniratna-I entity with a positive net worth, must have secured an "Excellent" or "Very Good" MoU rating in three of the last five years, and must score 60 or more points on key financial indicators including net profit, net worth, and manpower cost. CPCL, formerly known as Madras Refineries Limited, was formed as a joint venture between the Government of India, AMOCO, and the National Iranian Oil Company in 1965. The Government of India later transferred its equity to Indian Oil Corporation , and CPCL became a subsidiary of IndianOil in 2001. Also read: Chennai Petroleum announces Rs 8 per share dividend, sets April 2 as record date. Check dividend yield CPCL was conceived as a grassroot refinery in 1969 with an installed refining capacity of 2.5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). Today, it is one of the largest refining corporations in South India, with an installed refining capacity of 10.5 MMTPA. The Manali refinery is one of the most complex refineries in India, with fuel, lube, wax, and petrochemical feedstock production facilities. The company also set up a 5.8 million gallons per day sea water desalination plant, the first of its kind in the industry to augment the water requirements of the refinery. The company's product range spans diesel, petrol, LPG, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel, lubricants, petrochemical feedstocks, and specialty products including JP-5 fuel for fighter jets and missile fuels. IOCL holds a 51.89% stake in CPCL, making it the majority shareholder and parent company. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
The portal will facilitate transparent certification and regulatory compliance under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India View More
Andhra Pradesh is set to significantly upgrade its electricity network. Twenty-four power transmission projects valued at Rs 3,507 crore will be completed and commissioned by December 2026. These initiatives aim to enhance grid stability and support the state's development. APTRANSCO is actively working on numerous projects to meet growing power demands and ensure reliable supply across Andhra Pradesh. View More
Amaravati, The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to complete and commission 24 power transmission projects worth Rs 3,507 crore between June and December 2026 to strengthen the state's electricity network. Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand reviewed the progress of various transmission projects being executed by Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation ( APTRANSCO ) across the state and instructed officials to ensure timely completion of the works. "A total of 24 transmission projects worth Rs 3,507 crore are slated for completion and commissioning between June and December 2026 as part of efforts to augment the state's electricity infrastructure," Vijayanand in an official release on Tuesday. The Special Chief Secretary said APTRANSCO and the state government were committed to ensuring quality, reliable and uninterrupted power supply to agriculture, industries, commercial establishments and domestic consumers. He emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of 400 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV transmission projects to meet the growing power demand and strengthen the state's transmission infrastructure. Live Events During the review, Vijayanand noted that APTRANSCO has already commissioned three 400 kV substations , eight 220 kV substations and 21 substations of 132 kV capacity, adding 1,465 MVA transformation capacity and 571 circuit kilometres (CKM) of transmission lines to the state grid. According to the top official, 68 transmission projects with an estimated investment of Rs 5,279 crore are currently under various stages of execution across Andhra Pradesh. Upon completion, these projects will add 15,224.5 MVA transformation capacity and 1,828 CKM of transmission lines, substantially enhancing the state's transmission network. Vijayanand directed officials to closely monitor the progress of these projects and ensure completion within the scheduled timelines while maintaining quality standards. Tenders have already been floated for 29 new transmission projects, which are expected to add 4,520 MVA transformation capacity and 700 CKM of transmission lines, the release said. In addition, 72 transmission projects are currently under planning and APTRANSCO intends to float tenders for them within the next three months. These projects are aimed at strengthening the state's transmission network and ensuring efficient evacuation of power from generating stations to load centres. Reviewing the inauguration plan for 24 completed transmission projects, Vijayanand said the facilities, comprising 400 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV substations along with associated transmission systems, would be inaugurated in a phased manner over the next six months. Major projects lined up for inauguration include the Rs 875-crore 400/220 kV GIS substation at Atchutapuram in Visakhapatnam district, the Rs 560-crore 400/220 kV substation at Gudivada in Krishna district and the Rs 380-crore 400/132 kV substation at Ainavilli in BR Ambedkar Konaseema district. Other key projects are the Rs 262-crore 132/33 kV substation at Kapuluppada in Visakhapatnam district, the Rs 148-crore 220/132/33 kV substation at Banavasi in Kurnool district and the Rs 145-crore 220/132/33 kV substation at Pullalacheruvu in Markapuram district, among others. "These projects will significantly improve grid stability, reduce transmission losses and support the industrial, agricultural and socio-economic development of Andhra Pradesh," he said. Reiterating APTRANSCO's long-term vision, Vijayanand said the organisation remains focused on building a robust, modern and future-ready transmission network capable of supporting Andhra Pradesh's growing energy requirements. .Pbanner{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;align-items:center;background-color:#ec1c40;margin-top:20px;padding:5px 10px;border-radius:4px;color:#fff;line-height:10px;} .Pbannertext{display:flex;align-items:center;font-size:16px;font-weight:600;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannertext img{height:20px;margin:0 6px} .Pbannerbutton a{display:flex;align-items:center;background-color:#fff;color:#ec1c40;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:6px;font-size:15px;font-family:'Montserrat';} .Pbannerbutton img{height:20px;margin-right:6px} .Pbannerbutton a:hover{background-color:#f7f7f7} Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
The project forms part of NTPC’s ongoing efforts to expand utility-scale renewable energy generation while integrating advanced energy storage solutions that enhance grid stability and reliability View More
As per CEA projections, India is expected to add 683 GW capacity by FY36E, of which 600 GW would be non-fossil based capacity View More