Coal India to invest $1.73bn in solar power projects

By Daniel Brightmore
Share
The world's largest coal miner eyes further mine closures while planning foray into solar wafer manufacturing...

Coal India Ltd, the world’s largest coal miner, could venture into solar wafer manufacturing and wants to “aggressively” participate in the country’s solar energy auctions, its chairman told Reuters.

Pramod Agarwal said its joint venture with state-run NLC India Ltd plans to invest around 125 billion rupees ($1.73bn) in solar power projects with a capacity of 3,000 megawatts, of which Coal India will invest some 60 billion rupees by March 2024.

At the same time, it plans to keep closing small mines and stay away from opening those that would entail mass hiring, Agarwal said. The group closed 82 mines in the three years to March 2020, resulting in cuts to its workforce of 18,600 employees.

“Coal as you know, we’re going to lose business in the next two, three decades. Solar will take over (from) coal slowly as a major energy provider in the coming years,” Agarwal said in an interview.

“We are just exploring the possibilities where we can invest in solar wafer production, nobody is (currently) there in the country,” he said.

India, which makes solar cells and modules but not wafers, is planning to levy customs duties on some solar equipment from April 2022 as it looks to expand local manufacturing capacity.

Agarwal said the company’s steadily falling headcount would lead to a major reduction in costs. “The net reduction of employees is to the tune of 13,000 to 14,000 per annum,” he said.

State-run Coal India will face increased costs due to periodical wage revisions for non-executive employees, effective from July 1, 2021.

“But manpower reduction will have a stabilising effect, so the wage bill effect may be flat,” Agarwal said.

Share

Featured Articles

Intel Ridding its Supply Chain of Conflict Minerals

Intel first began to work towards responsibly sourced conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries about 12 years

IEF on 'Paradox' of Mining's Role in Quest for Clean Energy

International Energy Forum says mining is the 'paradox' at heart of quest for clean energy but recognises the industry is addressing sustainability issues

ABB Reduces its Industrial e-Waste Impact

Leading global engineering company ABB – with strong mining presence – cuts industrial e-waste by promoting reuse and recycling in a push for circularity

Mining Automation Drives Efficiency and Safety Gains

Digital Mining

New Schneider SBS Energy Solution for Mining Sector

Smart Mining

Mining Conflicts Hit Communities As Battery Demand Soars

Sustainability