The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Coal India Limited (CIL) have entered into a strategic partnership to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy, aimed at accelerating India’s transition towards a low-carbon and sustainable energy future.
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Wednesday by Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, and Achut Ghatak, Director (Technical) of Coal India, in the presence of P. M. Prasad, Chairman of CIL, along with senior officials from both organizations at the IIT Madras campus.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy will function as a Centre of Excellence, driving cutting-edge research, innovation, and technology development focused on sustainable energy solutions. It will bring together leading institutions and industries from India and around the world to develop economically viable and environmentally responsible pathways for optimally utilizing India’s energy resources, supporting the country’s long-term energy security and its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
Prof. V. Kamakoti welcomed the partnership, stating, “Industry-academia collaborations have been a cornerstone of IIT Madras’ journey toward leading India’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Our partnership with Coal India epitomizes our commitment to this cause. Together, we aim to develop scalable and impactful solutions that support our nation’s sustainable energy future.”
P M Prasad highlighted Coal India’s evolving role, saying, “Coal India is transforming from being the nation’s energy provider to becoming a key enabler of India’s clean energy transition. This MoU marks a historic step in Coal India’s journey toward sustainable growth. Through this collaboration with IIT Madras, Coal India aims to generate indigenous solutions that ensure energy security, decarbonisation, and socio-economic progress.”
The new center will be led by Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri, Head of the Energy Consortium, and Prof. Rajnish Kumar, Head of the School of Sustainability, both from IIT Madras. Its research will focus on four key areas: sustainable materials and circular economy, mine repurposing and fleet electrification, environmental remediation, and development of materials for energy storage from coal.
Initial projects under the Centre’s ambit include developing sustainable polymer composites derived from coal, recycling solar panels and batteries, electrifying mining equipment, and exploring energy storage solutions in mined-out zones. These initiatives underscore the Centre’s commitment to addressing the complex challenges of India’s energy transition while ensuring environmental responsibility.
Coal continues to underpin India’s energy security, meeting over 85 percent of the nation’s energy needs, and remains integral to enabling a sustainable energy future.
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