NTPC Begins Drilling India’s First CO₂ Injection Borewell

04 Nov 2025 CW Team

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.

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.

Resources

13 May 2026

Anant Raj Appoints Anish Sarin as Director

Anant Raj has appointed Anish Sarin as Director on its Board, marking a key step in the company’s leadership transition and long-term growth strategy. The announcement was made during the company’s Q4 and FY26 results declaration, reflecting the induction of next-generation leadership as the company expands across real estate, cloud infrastructure and data centre businesses. Anish Sarin, grandson of veteran industrialist Ashok Sarin, represents the emerging leadership at Anant Raj. Educated at Regent’s University London, he brings a global business outlook along with a strong focus on t..

Technology

13 May 2026

Vedanta eyes AI-led value growth

Vedanta Group expects to unlock USD 300–400 million in additional value over the next three years through large-scale deployment of AI-led industrial technologies across its businesses. The group said its V-Spark DeepTech Ventures platform has already delivered nearly four times return on investment since inception.Vedanta is scaling AI, predictive analytics, Industrial Internet of Things, digital twins, machine learning, automation and connected manufacturing technologies across its metals, mining, energy and industrial operations. These deployments are aimed at improving productivity, lowe..

Infrastructure Urban

13 May 2026

Hindustan Zinc inks pact with Group Nirmal

Hindustan Zinc has signed an MoU with Group Nirmal to set up a zinc wire manufacturing facility at its Zinc Industrial Park in Khankhala, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan. The partnership will expand downstream manufacturing activity and support value-added zinc applications in India.Under the agreement, Group Nirmal will manufacture zinc wire products using Hindustan Zinc’s Special High Grade zinc. The products will cater to infrastructure, renewable energy, automotive and industrial engineering sectors.Zinc wire is used in thermal spray coating and metallising processes to protect steel struct..