Coal India Limited Doubles Down on R&D, Targets ₹1,900 Cr Investment by FY2030
Coal India Limited (CIL) has significantly ramped up its Research and Development (R&D) initiatives, announcing plans to invest approximately Rs. 1,900 Crores in R&D activities by the fiscal year 2030. This intensification of focus responds to the evolving global energy landscape, aiming to drive the company’s future growth and technological transformation.The R&D expenditure at CIL saw a substantial increase, rising four-fold in the financial year 2024-25. The expenditure reached Rs. 245 Crores in FY 2024-25, up from Rs. 61 Crore in FY 2023-24. To support this growth, CIL has formulated a comprehensive R&D Policy framework for structured innovation.
CIL established the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER) in FY 2024-25, structuring its R&D efforts as a hub-and-spoke model. The company has deliberately shifted its focus from initial proof-of-concept studies towards prototype development, specifically targeting Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-4 and above.
To strengthen industry academia collaboration, CIL established three Centres of Excellence (CoE) at Premier IITs: the Centre of Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ) at IIT Hyderabad, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) at Madras, and Innovation in Mining (IMiN) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. These centres operate as research spokes under NaCCER and are tasked with undertaking pilot-scale research, technology validation, and prototype development. CIL has committed Rs. 253 crore to these Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
Currently, 19 R&D projects, carrying a total outlay of Rs. 225 crore, are being executed by reputed scientific institutions under the direct supervision of NaCCER. Additionally, 13 research projects involving pilot-scale work and prototype development are underway within the established CoEs.
The strategic research portfolio is divided across key domains:
- CLEANZ focuses on advanced clean coal energy and net zero technologies, including high-ash coal gasification, syngas utilisation, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, mineral beneficiation, enhanced coal bed methane recovery, and recovery of rare earth elements and critical minerals.
- CSE concentrates on sustainable materials, environmental remediation, circular economy initiatives, mine repurposing, advanced wastewater treatment technologies, and the feasibility assessment of micro modular nuclear reactors.
- IMiN is dedicated to capacity building through research fellowships and developing solutions tailored to identified mining challenges.
CIL has also bolstered its international collaborations, partnering with Ergo Exergy, Canada, for the Underground Coal Gasification Project at ECL; Ericsson, Sweden, to implement 5G technologies in the Jhanjra underground mine; and CSIRO, Australia, for collaborative research advancements.
The scope of ongoing R&D projects is summarized below:
| Area | Number of Projects | Total Outlay / Commitment | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projects under NaCCER | 19 | Rs. 225 crore | Executed by scientific institutions |
| Projects in CoEs | 13 | Committed: Rs. 253 crore to Centres of Excellence (CLEANZ, CSE, IMiN) | Pilot-scale research and prototype development |
COALINDIA Stock Price Movement
As of 1:27 PM, shares of Coal India Limited are slipping by 1.24% in live trading after losing ₹5.50, currently priced at ₹439.35. The stock has seen steady activity today, with over 2.09 million shares traded so far.Disclaimer: Due care and diligence have been taken in compiling and presenting news and market-related content. However, errors or omissions may arise despite such efforts.
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