Coal India's New Business Portfolio Targets Energy, Minerals and Tech
New Delhi, September 20 – Coal India Limited (CIL) released details of a comprehensive business development portfolio that marks a decisive move away from a singular focus on coal extraction toward a diversified suite of energy, mineral and technology operations.
The portfolio clusters around five mutually reinforcing sectors: coal gasification and downstream chemicals, thermal power with ultra‑supercritical expansion, renewable power generation paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS), critical minerals and advanced materials, and iron‑ore based diversified mining.
Key projects under the umbrella include an investment of about INR 69,346 crore across four coal‑to‑chemical initiatives, a 2 × 800 MW ultra‑supercritical plant upgrade at Chandrapura, roughly 550 MW of operational solar capacity, and multiple grid‑scale BESS projects. The company is also pursuing downstream opportunities linked to critical minerals and value‑added material streams.
Coal gasification will convert Indian high‑ash coal into synthesis gas, which can be further processed into synthetic natural gas (SNG), ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate, methanol and various other chemicals. The technology not only unlocks additional revenue streams but also reduces reliance on imported chemical feedstocks.
The four flagship coal‑to‑chemical ventures—Talcher Fertilizers Ltd., Bharat Coal Gasification & Chemicals Ltd., Coal Gas India Ltd., and the CIL‑BPCL Chandrapura coal‑to‑SNG project—focus on tailoring process technology to Indian coal, localising critical equipment, integrating advanced process control and digital twins, predictive maintenance, and improving water, ash and emission management.
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is being piloted in the Kasta West block of CIL Eastern Coalfields Ltd., testing the commercial viability of converting deep, non‑mineable coal seams into syngas.
In partnership with Damodar Valley Corporation, CIL will develop a 2 × 800 MW ultra‑supercritical brownfield extension at Chandrapura, with a 50:50 joint‑venture share. The partnership will bring expertise in power sales, high‑efficiency generation, flexible plant operation, emission control, water recycling and scientific ash utilisation.
CIL has commissioned roughly 550 MW of solar capacity and is actively developing rooftop, ground‑mounted, captive, inter‑state and market‑connected solar projects. The company is also constructing a 20 MW AC‑grid‑connected floating solar plant on the Chilwa reservoir in Gorakhpur, a land‑saving solution for suitable water bodies.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are integral to CIL’s strategy for integrating renewables, managing peak demand, enhancing grid flexibility and optimizing transmission capacity. Ongoing BESS projects include the TGGENCO Chautippar project in Telangana and a 80 MW/320 MWh portfolio across four sites in Odisha, each offering a four‑hour storage window.
CIL is also mapping critical mineral opportunities that are vital for batteries, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, electronics, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence. Identified prospects span graphite deposits in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and rare‑earth element and rare‑metal opportunities in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Through these coordinated initiatives, Coal India aims to build a resilient, future‑ready business model that supports India’s energy transition while diversifying its revenue streams beyond conventional coal mining.