New Delhi/Chennai: In a significant step toward decarbonizing India’s thermal power sector, NLC India Limited (NLCIL), a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, has entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to jointly undertake cutting-edge research in Carbon Capture Systems (CCS).
The MoU was signed today at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai in the presence of Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director, NLCIL; Dr. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras; and Mr M. Venkatachalam, Director (Power), NLCIL.
This partnership marks a strategic move by NLCIL to integrate sustainable practices into thermal power generation and aligns with India’s national objectives for a cleaner energy future.
Driving Innovation for a Low-Carbon Future
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Prasanna Kumar Motupalli stated, “As we take strides toward a low-carbon future, NLCIL is committed to transforming the way thermal power is generated. By integrating advanced carbon capture technologies, we not only reduce emissions but also ensure that thermal energy remains a clean, reliable pillar in India’s power matrix for decades to come. This collaboration with IIT Madras underlines our dedication to R&D-led sustainability.”
The initiative supports India’s sustainability targets and reflects the country’s Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy, which underscores the critical role of clean thermal power in ensuring a just and equitable energy transition.
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Key Features of the R&D Collaboration
The MoU outlines a two-phase research agenda–
- Phase I – Lab-Scale Study
Focused on developing CO₂ capture technologies using ionic liquids, amine blends, and electrochemical methods. The project will process flue gas at a rate of up to 10 litres/day.
Budget: ₹2.06 crore, fully funded by NLCIL under its CARD Science and Technology initiative.
- Phase II – Pilot Demonstration Project
Contingent on successful lab outcomes, a pilot-scale demonstration will be set up at an NLCIL thermal power plant under a separate agreement.
The collaboration includes joint intellectual property rights (50:50 sharing), regular knowledge exchange, and site-specific deployment of capture systems.
Strategic Vision: 10 GW Thermal + 10 GW Renewable by 2030
NLCIL’s broader roadmap includes developing 10 GW each of renewable and efficient thermal power capacity by 2030. This balanced growth strategy combines decarbonization of existing assets with investment in clean energy infrastructure.
A Model for Industry-Academia Collaboration
This partnership exemplifies how synergy between public sector enterprises and leading academic institutions can generate practical, scalable innovations. It sets a precedent for how research-backed solutions can address real-world challenges in the energy sector and contribute meaningfully to India’s climate and development goals.
About NLC India
NLC India Limited (NLC) is a Government of India’s Navratna public sector undertaking, primarily engaged in lignite mining and thermal power generation. It also produces electricity from renewable energy sources like solar and wind. NLC is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Coal. NLC operates four open-cast lignite mines at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu and Barsingsar, Rajasthan.
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