West Bengal’s Industry and Commerce Minister, Shashi Panja, announced on Thursday that the state is actively exploring underground coal gasification at the upcoming Deocha Pachami coal block in Muhammadbazar, Birbhum—India’s largest and the world’s second-largest coal reserve.

Coal gasification involves converting coal into synthetic gas (syngas), a mix of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapour, which can be cooled and liquefied for use in the transport sector. The state government is considering gasification over 30 per cent of the Deocha Pachami block as part of its cleaner energy strategy.

Speaking at the 4th East and North East India Energy Conclave hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Panja emphasised Bengal’s dedication to reducing thermal power reliance while promoting clean energy, innovation, and regional collaboration.

She highlighted that West Bengal has a ground-mounted solar potential of 19,000 MW, with tariff rates dropping to Rs 3 per kWh, making solar a feasible and sustainable energy source. Purulia alone accounts for 56 per cent of the state’s solar potential, positioning it as a prime location for large-scale solar deployment.

In addition, the state has an estimated floating solar capacity of 3,567 MW across nearly 30 major dams, including 1,790 MW at the Kangsabati dam. The biomass potential stands at 2,864 MW—double the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s earlier estimates—with West Midnapore, South 24-Parganas, and East Burdwan together accounting for half this potential.

Wind energy potential is also significant, with 20,000 MW possible at 100 metres hub height and 23,000 MW at 150 metres.

Panja also highlighted the state’s partnership with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to advance technologies such as floating solar, agri-photovoltaics (agri-PV), building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and battery storage solutions. TERI is also assisting the West Bengal Transport Corporation in electric bus and ferry storage development.

Reaffirming West Bengal’s commitment to sustainable growth, Panja stated that the state is progressing with its Green Hydrogen Policy and Renewable Manufacturing Policy, aiming to achieve a 20 per cent renewable energy mix by 2030.