Coal India and IIT Madras Launch Centre for Sustainable Energy Innovation

In a major step toward accelerating India's clean energy transformation, Coal India Limited (CIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) on Wednesday to establish a state-of-the-art "Centre for Sustainable Energy" at the IIT Madras campus. The Centre aims to lead cutting-edge research, innovation, and capacity-building in sustainable energy technologies, contributing significantly to India's long-term net-zero goals.

The MoU was signed by Shri Achyut Ghatak, Director (Technical), CIL, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, in the presence of Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman and Managing Director, Coal India Limited, and senior officials from both organizations.

A Vision for Energy Transition

This collaboration marks a significant pivot in Coal India's evolution—from being the country's leading fossil fuel supplier to a strategic enabler of India's clean energy future. As the country sets its sights on achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, this partnership symbolizes an important convergence of public sector enterprise and academic research to develop indigenous, scalable, and affordable clean energy solutions.

Speaking at the event, CMD Shri P.M. Prasad said:

"Coal India is transforming from the nation's energy provider to a vital partner in India's green energy revolution. This MoU marks a historic step in our sustainability journey. Through our partnership with IIT Madras, we aim to drive innovation that strengthens energy security, enables decarbonization, and supports socio-economic development."

Objectives of the Centre

The Centre for Sustainable Energy will serve as a central hub for:

• Advanced research and development in low-carbon energy technologies.

• Repurposing and rehabilitating coal mines into renewable energy and ecological sites.

• Reimagining coal not as a pollutant, but as a feedstock for sustainable applications, such as carbon capture and utilization, coal-to-chemicals, and hydrogen generation.

• Supporting India's strategic diversification from conventional fossil fuels to clean energy.

The Centre will also focus on the circular economy model and promote the utilization of waste products from coal mining and power generation for constructive purposes, such as fly ash-based materials and land reclamation.

Bridging Industry and Academia for Clean Energy Innovation

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, highlighted the importance of such collaborations in achieving India's climate goals:

"Industry–academia collaboration is critical for India's sustainable energy future. Our partnership with Coal India is a testament to IIT Madras' mission of driving innovation through applied research. We aim to deliver solutions that are not just visionary but implementable, and that can catalyze India's shift toward a low-carbon economy."

IIT Madras, consistently ranked among the top engineering institutions in India, brings its interdisciplinary expertise in energy engineering, environmental science, materials research, and data science, ensuring that the Centre is equipped to tackle some of the most complex challenges in the energy sector.

Human Capital and Capacity Building

Beyond research and technology development, the Centre will play a pivotal role in developing India's green workforce:

• It will host Ph.D. and postdoctoral programs focused on energy science, clean tech, and sustainability studies.

• Internship opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students will be made available.

• The Centre will conduct capacity-building workshops, public seminars, and industry training programs to disseminate knowledge and create awareness about sustainable energy technologies.

This educational and human capital component ensures that the Centre will not only generate new technologies but also train the next generation of researchers, engineers, and policymakers to drive the energy transition forward.

A Milestone in India's Net-Zero Roadmap

Coal India's decision to fund and support the Centre aligns with its strategic vision to diversify operations, reduce carbon footprint, and contribute to India's commitments under international climate accords such as the Paris Agreement. As the largest coal producer in the world, CIL's proactive steps toward clean energy signal a systemic shift in India's energy sector, which has traditionally been heavily reliant on coal.

The Centre will also explore carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, which are considered essential to decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and heavy industry. Moreover, it could explore synergies with hydrogen economy initiatives and bioenergy projects, expanding its impact beyond traditional mining communities.

Looking Ahead

The establishment of the Centre for Sustainable Energy reflects India's commitment to building climate resilience while safeguarding its energy needs. As the world transitions toward greener alternatives, partnerships like this will play a critical role in ensuring that the energy shift is equitable, indigenous, and inclusive.

In a world grappling with climate change, energy insecurity, and economic inequality, this collaboration between CIL and IIT Madras represents a beacon of hope—and a model for how public enterprises and academic institutions can come together to create sustainable futures.