Coal India Partners with IIT Madras to Power Net-Zero Transition through R&D Centre
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 13: Climate Action
Institutions: Ministry of Coal | Ministry of New and Renewable Energy | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Coal India Limited (CIL), under the Ministry of Coal, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish the “Centre for Sustainable Energy”. This collaboration is aligned with CIL’s strategic goal of transforming itself from primarily an energy provider to a key enabler of India’s clean energy transition.
The new Centre, supported by dedicated CIL funding, will serve as a hub for cutting-edge Research and Development (R&D) and capacity-building initiatives focused on sustainable energy technologies. Its core focus areas include:
Repurposing coal mines after closure.
Developing low-carbon technologies.
Reimagining coal as a valuable feedstock for India’s clean energy future.
This partnership is a strategic move to develop indigenous solutions and technology required to achieve India’s national net-zero ambitions by 2070. Furthermore, the Centre will contribute to human capital development by funding Ph.D., postdoctoral, and internship programs to nurture the next generation of green energy engineers and researchers.
By linking India’s largest coal producer with a premier technology institute, the government is ensuring that decarbonization efforts are supported by indigenous R&D and creating a clear pathway for repurposing assets (coal mines) that will be key to socioeconomic stability during the transition.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What is the projected timeline established under the MoU to ensure that research outcomes from the Centre for Sustainable Energy are successfully scaled up and deployed commercially by CIL?
Follow the full news here: Coal India & IIT Madras Join Hands to Establish Centre for Sustainable Energy