CIL Partners with IIT-H for R&D in Clean Coal Technology.

Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) to set up the Centre of Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ) in Hyderabad. The initiative aims to develop advanced clean coal technologies and diversify coal utilization in line with India’s Net Zero commitments.

The MoU was signed by P. M. Prasad, Chairman, CIL, and Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IIT-H, in the presence of Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy. As part of the agreement, CIL has committed ₹98 crore over five years to support the centre, which is expected to become financially self-sustainable beyond the initial funding.

CLEANZ will focus on research areas such as coal bed methane and coal mine methane recovery, carbon capture technologies, coal gasification and syngas utilization, energy efficiency, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in coal sector innovations. The project falls under the umbrella of the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER), an independent R&D unit of CIL’s mine development arm, CMPDI.

The Union Coal Ministry has been actively promoting research and innovation in the coal sector. Highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative, Minister Reddy stated, “Critical minerals play a strategic role in our economy, and IIT-H is conducting cutting-edge research in this field. We, through our Ministry, will provide any necessary support.”

HBL