NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Amid an energy crisis and growing concerns over supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Indian government on Wednesday approved a 3.92-billion-USD scheme to boost coal gasification projects in the country.
The information was given by federal information minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a cabinet briefing.
According to Vaishnaw, the scheme is intended to accelerate India's coal and lignite gasification program and support the national target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030.
Vaishnaw said India possesses one of the world's largest reserves of coal and lignite, with approximately 401 billion tonnes of coal reserves and around 47 billion tonnes of lignite reserves.
Coal currently contributes more than 55 percent of India's total energy mix, he further said.
Explaining the scheme, he said coal gasification is a process through which coal and lignite are converted into synthesis gas, commonly known as syngas.
This syngas, he said, can then be utilized for generating electricity and manufacturing chemicals, fertilisers and other downstream products.
Under the scheme, the Indian government will provide financial assistance of around 20 percent of the cost of plant and machinery. ■
