NTPC Ltd has commenced drilling for India’s first-ever carbon dioxide (CO₂) injection borewell at its Pakri Barwadih coal mine in Jharkhand, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s transition towards clean energy.

The initiative, led by NTPC’s research and development wing, NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), forms a crucial part of India’s Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) roadmap, aligned with the country’s net-zero target for 2070.

In a statement, NTPC said, “The company has achieved an important milestone in the nation’s clean energy transition by commencing drilling for the country’s first-ever CO₂ Injection Borewell at its Pakri Barwadih Coal Mine, Jharkhand.”

The borewell will reach an approximate depth of 1,200 metres, aimed at gathering geological and reservoir data essential for developing a safe and efficient CO₂ storage system. The process involves core, methane, and water sampling, as well as seismic monitoring and simulation studies to determine the rock formations’ long-term carbon storage potential.

This first-of-its-kind project is a cornerstone of NTPC’s carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) programme, designed to build indigenous CCS capability suited for deployment across India’s power and industrial sectors.

The initiative reinforces NTPC’s leadership in sustainable energy innovation, with a clear focus on reducing emissions and accelerating India’s decarbonisation efforts.

NTPC, India’s largest integrated power utility, currently contributes one-fourth of the nation’s electricity supply, with an installed capacity exceeding 84 GW and another 30.9 GW under construction, including 13.3 GW of renewable capacity. The company is targeting 60 GW of renewable energy by 2032, further strengthening India’s march towards net-zero emissions.