NTPC Ltd has commenced drilling for India’s first-ever carbon dioxide (CO?) injection borewell at its Pakri Barwadih coal mine in Jharkhand, marking a major milestone in the nation’s carbon capture and storage journey.

The initiative, led by NTPC’s research arm NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), represents a decisive step towards advancing India’s Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) roadmap and supporting the country’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.

The borewell, designed to reach a depth of approximately 1,200 metres, aims to generate critical geological and reservoir data necessary for developing a safe and effective CO? storage process. The project will involve core, methane and water sampling, seismic monitoring and detailed simulation studies to evaluate the rock formations’ capacity for long-term carbon storage.

This first-of-its-kind initiative forms a vital part of NTPC’s broader CCUS programme aimed at building indigenous carbon capture capability for deployment across India’s power and industrial sectors. It reinforces NTPC’s position as a leader in sustainable and low-carbon energy solutions.

NTPC, India’s largest integrated power utility, currently contributes about one-fourth of the nation’s electricity demand with an installed capacity exceeding 84 GW. An additional 30.9 GW is under construction, including 13.3 GW of renewable energy projects. The company targets 60 GW of renewable capacity by 2032, underscoring its role in achieving India’s climate goals.