India's Green Ambition: A New Carbon Capture Era

India is preparing to launch a national carbon capture initiative aimed at balancing rising energy demand with its climate commitments, while continuing to rely on coal as a key energy source, according to a senior NITI Aayog official.

The initiative will focus on promoting Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, with the government set to provide funding support covering 50% to 100% of select projects. The announcement was made by Rajnath Ram, Energy Advisor at NITI Aayog, during a coal summit hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

CCUS technologies capture carbon dioxide from industrial emissions or directly from the atmosphere and store it underground, helping mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuel use.

Rajnath Ram noted that the incentives are designed to encourage industrial adoption of carbon capture solutions, particularly when integrated with coal-based power systems. He emphasised that with India’s electricity consumption projected to grow significantly, coal will remain a major component of the energy mix for at least the next two decades.

The initiative reflects India’s pragmatic approach to climate action—leveraging low-carbon technologies to reduce emissions while ensuring energy security and economic growth.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.