New Delhi: Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) Chairman and Managing Director Satish Jha on Friday said that "coal" will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring India's energy security even as the country accelerates its transition towards cleaner energy sources.
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Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the 7th ASSOCHAM Energy Meet & Excellence Awards 2026 in Kolkata, Jha stressed the need for a balanced energy transition that integrates conventional and renewable energy sources to support sustainable economic growth.
The national-level conclave brought together policymakers, government officials, industry leaders, power sector experts, researchers and technology providers to discuss India's evolving energy landscape and strategies for building a resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem.
Jha said India's future lies in an integrated energy mix where conventional and renewable sources complement each other. While renewable energy capacity is expanding rapidly, he noted that coal continues to remain the backbone of the country's electricity generation, supporting industrial growth, transportation, healthcare, agriculture and household energy needs.
Highlighting the role of technology in the energy transition, he pointed to the growing importance of green hydrogen, green ammonia, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Artificial Intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, automation, smart grids, digital substations, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced control systems. He said digitalisation and innovation would improve grid reliability, operational efficiency and round-the-clock availability of clean energy.
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Describing the energy transition as both an environmental imperative and an economic opportunity, Jha said it could create employment, attract investments, strengthen domestic manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative and position India as a global leader in sustainable energy technologies.
He also called for stronger collaboration among governments, industry, academia, research institutions, financial organisations, start-ups and consumers to build a secure, affordable and environmentally responsible energy ecosystem in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Reaffirming ECL's commitment to responsible coal mining and the adoption of advanced technologies, Jha said collaboration and innovation would remain central to achieving India's long-term energy security and sustainability objectives.
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