"Coal India and WCL to Establish Green Energy Projects in Chhindwara, Confirms Coal Secretary"

Coal India and its subsidiary Western Coalfields (WCL) have targeted four to five closed mines in the Chhindwara Pench area for the establishment of green energy projects, as revealed by Union Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena on Sunday. Speaking at the Western Coal Fields headquarters, Meena informed reporters that Coal India is planning to install integrated solar and pump storage projects on de-coaled land where coal extraction has been completed.

The initiative aims to optimize the use of WCL assets, with 4-5 old mines in the Chhindwara Pench area identified for the development of integrated solar and hydropower plants to contribute to green energy production, according to the secretary.

Meena mentioned that he, along with the WCL chairman and managing director and other officials, visited and inspected the old coal mines where mining activities have concluded. He emphasized that WCL will conduct surveys of more de-coaled assets in the region. Following expert assessments, WCL intends to maximize the use of these de-coaled assets.

In addition to the green energy projects, Meena highlighted the Indian government's approval of a scheme to promote coal gasification through 'Viability Gap Funding.' The government has also previously introduced two or three incentives for coal gasification. Financial support of Rs. 1000 crore or 15 percent of the project cost, whichever is lower, will be provided by the government for private sector initiatives establishing coal gasification plants. Private entrepreneurs aiming to set up small gasification plants with a minimum investment of Rs. 100 crores will be eligible for a viability gap funding of 15 percent of the project cost.

BS