India approves multibillion dollar initiative to turn coal into gas

New Delhi has approved a multibillion programme aimed at developing coal gasification projects.

The initiative involves converting coal into synthetic gas that can be used in power generation, fertilizer production, petrochemicals and other industrial sectors, Caliber.Az reports citing Reuters.

The move valued at 375 billion rupee (approx. $3.92 billion) is expected to help reduce the country’s dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and was approved amid fuel supply disruptions linked to the crisis in the Middle East.

India possesses some of the world’s largest coal reserves, with estimates indicating around 401 billion tonnes of coal and 47 billion tonnes of lignite.

Under the project, the country plans to gasify about 75 million tonnes of raw material annually. According to Reuters, other countries including the United States and China, are also showing interest in coal gasification technologies as a way to reduce emissions while maintaining energy security.

By Nazrin Sadigova