Coal Ministry BRICS event spotlights coal gasification for energy security
Synopsis
India used a BRICS side event to put coal gasification firmly on the multilateral energy agenda — reaffirming a target of 100 million tonnes gasified by 2030 and showcasing live projects from BHEL, Coal India, and Eastern Coalfields. With Russia, Ethiopia, and the UAE in the room, New Delhi is signalling that clean coal technology could become a new axis of BRICS industrial cooperation.
Key Takeaways
The Ministry of Coal hosted a BRICS side event on clean coal technologies in New Delhi on 24 June 2025 .
India reaffirmed its target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 through policy support and financial incentives.
Coal gasification produces syngas used for ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and DRI , reducing import dependence.
BHEL , Jindal Steel Limited , Greta Energy , ECL , and Coal India Limited presented projects and technology at the event.
Eastern Coalfields Limited highlighted progress on the Kasta Underground Coal Gasification Pilot Project .
BRICS delegates from Russia , Ethiopia , and the UAE participated in knowledge exchange and panel discussions.
The Ministry of Coal hosted a BRICS side event on clean coal technologies in New Delhi on 24 June 2025, with coal gasification's role in advancing energy security, industrial growth, and cleaner coal utilisation at the centre of discussions, according to an official statement. The event brought together senior government officials, public sector enterprises, industry technology providers, and a BRICS delegation representing Russia, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Key Developments at the Event
Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, underscored coal gasification's strategic importance for India's energy security and industrial development. He explained that coal gasification converts coal into syngas — a versatile feedstock used in producing ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, direct reduced iron (DRI), and other value-added products.
Jha noted that the technology holds potential to reduce India's import dependence while enabling more efficient use of domestic coal reserves. He also stressed the value of BRICS-level collaboration in accelerating the adoption of clean coal technologies.
India's Gasification Target and Policy Commitment
The Centre reaffirmed its commitment to gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, backed by policy support, financial incentives, assured coal linkages, and cross-ministry coordination. This target, first set as part of India's broader energy transition roadmap, reflects an attempt to extract greater industrial value from the country's substantial coal reserves while curbing emissions from direct combustion.
Presentations and Projects on Display
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) presented its coal gasification technology capabilities, while Jindal Steel Limited (JSL) and Greta Energy showcased their respective coal gasification projects and their relevance for BRICS partner nations. Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) detailed progress on the Kasta Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) Pilot Project, a significant milestone in India's UCG ambitions. The Nominated Authority highlighted coal block allocation and policy frameworks supporting UCG. Coal India Limited (CIL) presented coal linkage provisions and its own ongoing gasification initiatives.
Panel Discussion: Challenges and the Road Ahead
An interactive panel discussion examined multiple dimensions of coal gasification, including technology readiness, project economics, geological and processing challenges, and the specific complexities of utilising high-ash Indian coal. Participants also deliberated on the policy and financial support required for wider commercial adoption of the technology across BRICS economies.
The event served as a knowledge-exchange platform among member nations at a time when energy security and industrial self-reliance are rising priorities across the bloc. With India's 2030 gasification target now firmly on the international agenda, the coming months will test whether bilateral and multilateral cooperation can translate into concrete project pipelines.
Point of View
And the gap between stated policy and commissioned capacity remains wide. Showcasing ECL's Kasta UCG pilot and CIL's linkage provisions signals intent, but high-ash Indian coal presents processing challenges that no amount of multilateral goodwill resolves on its own. The real question is whether BRICS collaboration produces technology transfer and project finance — or stays at the level of panel discussions. India needs both to make gasification a genuine pillar of energy security rather than a recurring conference talking point.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the BRICS side event on coal gasification about?
The Ministry of Coal organised a BRICS side event in New Delhi on 24 June 2025 to discuss clean coal technologies, with a focus on coal gasification's role in energy security and industrial development. Delegates from Russia, Ethiopia, and the UAE participated alongside Indian government officials and public sector enterprises.
What is India's coal gasification target?
India aims to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, supported by policy measures, financial incentives, assured coal linkages, and coordinated efforts across ministries. The target is central to India's strategy of extracting greater industrial value from domestic coal reserves.
What products can be made from coal gasification?
Coal gasification converts coal into syngas, which can be used to produce ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, direct reduced iron (DRI), and other value-added industrial products. This reduces dependence on imported feedstocks and fuels.
Which companies presented at the coal gasification BRICS event?
Presentations were delivered by BHEL on gasification technology, Jindal Steel Limited and Greta Energy on their projects, Eastern Coalfields Limited on the Kasta UCG Pilot Project, and Coal India Limited on coal linkage provisions and its gasification initiatives.
What is underground coal gasification (UCG) and what progress has India made?
Underground coal gasification involves converting coal into syngas directly within the coal seam, without mining it to the surface. Eastern Coalfields Limited presented progress on India's Kasta UCG Pilot Project at the BRICS event, marking a key step in the country's UCG development.
