NTPC Plans ₹10,000 Crore Coal-to-SNG Plant in Chhattisgarh

NTPC is set to establish a major coal-to-synthetic natural gas (SNG) facility at Talaipalli, Chhattisgarh, with an investment of ₹10,000 crore, marking a strategic leap in its energy diversification and clean coal initiative. The plant will span 150 acres and produce 5 lakh tonnes of SNG annually, using 25 lakh tonnes of coal per year sourced from NTPC’s captive mines. The project aligns with NTPC’s ‘greening the coal’ vision through its R&D arm NETRA and follows a pact with Engineers India Limited (EIL) to leverage indigenous high-ash coal for sustainable fuel production. NTPC is finalizing international technology partnerships for critical processes like gasification, methanation, and water-gas shift, aiming to produce SNG at ~$12/MMBTU. Technology selection is expected to be completed by Q4 FY26, followed by land, power, and water arrangements. Beyond SNG, the synthetic gas can be used to make methanol, ammonia, fertilizers, and petrochemicals, opening multiple revenue streams. This initiative strengthens India’s energy security by reducing import dependence and unlocking value from domestic coal reserves, positioning NTPC at the forefront of advanced coal utilization and low-carbon transition in the thermal sector.