Coal gasification is emerging as an important part of India's broader energy-security strategy. According to Ratul Puri, Chairman of Hindustan Power, the technology can help India leverage its domestic coal resources to produce critical industrial inputs while reducing dependence on imports.
Balancing India’s Energy Security and Clean Energy Goals
India’s energy transition requires a balance between clean energy ambitions, economic growth and energy security. While solar and wind are expanding rapidly, energy-intensive industries still require reliable, high-temperature energy, while import dependence creates additional vulnerabilities.
Ratul Puri on India’s Clean Energy Future
When we talk about the clean energy-focused future of India, two contrasting realities emerge: one of a traditional coal-dependent India and one of a far-sighted clean, renewable energy future. Ratul Puri says that, to fulfill the demands of a 1.4 billion-strong population, the safer approach would be that of creating a fine balance between economic growth and India’s climate commitments.
Meeting the Energy Needs of Energy-Intensive Industries
While solar and wind energy generation is working at its finest capacity, an important gap remains in meeting the energy needs of energy-intensive industries. When we talk about chemical refineries, heavy manufacturing and agriculture sectors, they require high-temperature heat that cannot be supplied by solar and wind alone. Moreover, most clean energy components are imported, leaving the nation vulnerable to trade wars, geopolitical flash points and global market disruptions.
Coal Gasification and India’s Energy Security
It is due to these reasons that India is now considering returning to its long-standing asset, which is coal. The Union Minister for coal and mines recently noted that coal gasification will be crucial in supporting energy security, curbing imports and boosting industrial growth. India has an estimated 400 billion tonnes of coal reserves, among the world’s largest, which still plays a crucial role in energy generation. Coal alone amounts for 55% of its energy mix and almost 74% of electricity generation. Further, coal’s annual demand of around one billion tonnes is anticipated to soar significantly by 2047. Despite being heavily reliant on coal, India is making steady progress towards meeting its net-zero commitment by 2070.
Reducing Import Dependence Through Coal Gasification
The Government of India has been promoting coal gasification as part of its broader strategy to improve energy security and reduce import dependence. India has set a target of achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030, with government support aimed at accelerating investments in the sector. Ratul Puri believes that the technology could help create domestic production capacity for products that India currently imports in significant quantities, strengthening both energy security and industrial resilience. Keeping in mind that around 83% of natural gas and more than 90% of fertilizers and methanol are imported, the Central Government has prioritised energy security as a strategic imperative.
Applications of Coal Gasification Across Key Industries
Coal gasification can have important applications across several sectors. In agriculture, syngas can be processed to produce hydrogen and ammonia, which are essential inputs for fertiliser production. Increasing domestic production of these inputs could help reduce dependence on international markets and improve the resilience of agricultural supply chains. In transport and industry, syngas can be converted into methanol, while gasification-derived chemicals can support industries such as paints, plastics and pharmaceuticals.
Ratul Puri on Strengthening Domestic Manufacturing
For Chairman Ratul Puri, the significance of coal gasification extends beyond merely converting coal into another form of energy. It represents an opportunity to strengthen India's domestic manufacturing ecosystem by converting locally available resources into higher-value industrial products. By reducing dependence on imported natural gas, fertilisers, methanol, and chemicals, India could retain more foreign exchange in the domestic economy while building greater resilience against global supply disruptions.
Carbon Capture and Cleaner Coal Gasification
Gasification produces a concentrated CO₂ stream, making it well suited for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) applications. The captured carbon can either be securely stored underground or utilised to produce value-added products such as solid carbonates and synthetic fuels. With effective carbon management and the integration of biomass into gasification processes, India can reduce the overall carbon footprint of its heavy industries while supporting a more sustainable industrial transition.
Coal Gasification and the Make in India Mission
According to Ratul Puri, the transformation of coal into value-added industrial products can strengthen India’s critical manufacturing base while advancing the Make in India mission. Ratul Puri also says that the future of coal in India extends beyond traditional power generation, with coal gasification and value-added applications creating opportunities for a more diversified industrial ecosystem. This evolving approach can support India’s energy security, reduce dependence on imported industrial inputs and contribute to a more competitive and progressively greener economy.
About Ratul Puri
Ratul Puri is the Chairman of Hindustan Power, an integrated power generation company with a strong presence in renewable and transitional energy generation. Over the years, Ratul Puri has been involved in the development of large-scale energy infrastructure projects that support India’s growing power requirements and its transition toward cleaner energy sources.
About Hindustan Power
Hindustan Power is an integrated power generation company with a presence across renewable and transitional energy assets. The company continues to invest in energy infrastructure that supports reliability, sustainability and long-term value creation within India’s evolving power sector.