New Delhi, 30 September 2025: NTPC has achieved a key milestone in India’s energy transition journey with the commencement of drilling for the country’s first CO2 injection borewell at Pakri Barwadih Coal Mine on 29th September 2025.
This project, supported by NITI Aayog, follows extensive assessment studies conducted by IIT-Bombay and NETRA across six Category-1 coalfields (three of NTPC). Findings revealed that Pakri Barwadih has the highest CO2 storage potential, estimated between 4.3–15.5 million tons.
The drilling activity was inaugurated in the presence of Shri Subrat Kumar Dash (HoP, PBCMP), the NETRA team, experts from IIT-Bombay, and senior site officials. The borewell will be drilled to a depth of 1200 meters.
As part of the project, core, methane, and water samples will be extracted, along with passive seismic monitoring and simulation studies. Post completion, the well will be repurposed for actual CO2 injection, marking a significant step in NTPC’s efforts towards carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions.
This initiative contributes towards India’s Net-Zero vision and climate goals, setting a precedent for sustainable mining and energy practices.
