MD V R Sharma spokeJSPL has plans of setting up a coal gasification plant, the second in the country, at the Raigarh plant in Chhattisgarh.

The company is already using coal gasification technology to produce steel at its plant in Angul, Odisha.

The 2 million tonne/year production capacity plant, inaugurated in 2018, has the distinction of being the first and only plant in India to produce steel from Swadeshi coal using coal gasification technology.

“As part of our mission to promote diversification of coal use, we will set up another coal gasification plant at our Raigarh plant,” the MD said, adding that it will be the second such plant in the country.

In response to a question about the potential investment for the project, he said, "It will be pre-mature to quote any figure. We are evaluating it and we will reach the final investment figure soon."

Explaining the gasification process, Sharma said that coal is converted into a synthesis gas that can be used to produce power, gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products.

Syngas can also be used in the manufacture of sponge iron, in the manufacture of glass and ceramics, and even in cooking. Moreover, India can produce the cheapest hydrogen through coal gasification route, the medical director said.

Asked about the capacity of the proposed gasification plant, he said it would have a similar capacity and would operate in Angola.

“Our government is promoting and encouraging the alternative use of energy in various sectors, such as automobiles, etc. In the field of steel, we aim to produce at least 50 percent of our steel energy through green technologies that are environmentally friendly. With the environment,” Sharma said.

The MD had earlier said that India had reserves of coal for another 300 years and that the local industry should use the coal through the gasification process. In addition to steel, aluminum, power, copper, etc. They are sectors that use coal to run factories. He said that the gasification technology will also help India to overcome the shortage of oil, gas, methanol, ammonia, urea and other products, turning the country into Atmanirbar.

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