Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Coal India diversifies into gasification, renewables and critical minerals
Coal India is trying to become more than a coal-mining company.
It is working on making chemicals and fuels from coal through a process called gasification.
It is also developing thermal power, solar energy and battery storage.
About 550 megawatts of its solar capacity is already operating.
The company plans a large power expansion at Chandrapura with Damodar Valley Corporation.
It is testing underground coal gasification because this technology is not yet proven commercially worldwide.
Coal India is also looking for minerals such as graphite and rare earth elements.
These minerals can be used in batteries, electric vehicles, electronics and renewable-energy equipment.
Coal India is building five business platforms spanning gasification, power, renewables, critical minerals and diversified minerals.
Four coal-to-chemicals initiatives represent approximately Rs 69,346 crore in planned projects.
The company has commissioned about 550 MW of solar capacity and is developing storage projects.
Coal India and Damodar Valley Corporation are proposing a 2×800 MW ultra-supercritical expansion at Chandrapura.
Critical-mineral opportunities include graphite, rare earth elements and rare metals in several Indian states.
- Who
- Coal India Limited, with partners including Damodar Valley Corporation, is leading the initiatives.
- What
- The company is diversifying into coal gasification, thermal power, renewable energy, battery storage, critical minerals and other materials.
- When
- The initiatives were described in an official statement issued on Sunday; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- Projects and opportunities are located across India, including Chandrapura in Jharkhand, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- Why
- Coal India says the transition will create value from coal, support import substitution, improve energy efficiency and develop materials needed for emerging industries.
- Business platforms
- Coal gasification and coal-to-chemicals; thermal power; renewable energy and storage; critical minerals and advanced materials; and diversified minerals.
- Coal-to-chemicals portfolio
- Approximately Rs 69,346 crore across four initiatives.
- Solar capacity commissioned
- Approximately 550 MW.
- Chandrapura expansion
- A proposed 2×800 MW ultra-supercritical brownfield project through a proposed 50:50 joint venture with Damodar Valley Corporation.
- Floating solar project
- A 20 MW AC grid-connected project at Chilwa Taal, Gorakhpur.
- Odisha battery storage
- An 80 MW/320 MWh portfolio across four locations, designed for four-hour duration.
- Critical-mineral opportunities
- Graphite assets in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, plus rare earth element and rare-metal opportunities in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.