NCL in association with IIT-Varanasi organises ICOMS-2020

New Delhi: Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) in association with the Indian Institute of Technology-Varanasi (BHU), organised a two-day international conference 'ICOMS-2020' from January 22 to January 23, at Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. The conference witnessed the participation of technocrats from across the globe to deliberate on the range of issues surrounding the country's coal sector. IIT-BHU was the knowledge partner of the conference.

Coal India Limited's (CIL) Chairman Pramod Agrawal inaugurated the 'ICOMS-2020' virtually. Addressing the conference, he highlighted the need for such events where industrial delegates, professionals and students are interacting for the reshaping of the coal sector. Along with production and productivity, he also stressed ethical and environmental sustainability with a vision of the long-term goal.

With the growing thrust on clean energy, it has become more important for the coal industry to reorient itself and keep fulfilling the nation's energy requirement by adopting sustainable ways of operations.

ALSO READ: Coal contributed hefty 78.6% to record-high peak power demand of Jan 22

'ICOMS-2020' is a one of its kind event in the country, where delegates from industries, academic institutes, start-ups and MSMEs come at the single platform and interact, share and document their opinions for the growth of the national economy and sustainability. More than 80 papers were presented during the event and the participation of over 1,000 delegates and exhibitors through online and offline mode were seen.

More than 20 startups participated in 'ICOMS-2020,' In line with the start-ups stand-up India initiative of the government, NCL is providing a unique platform to budding startups to showcase and market their products and services.

Speaking on the occasion, NCL's CMD PK Sinha stated that NCL is firmly committed to the energy security of the nation with its soaring coal production. The company has set the new benchmarks in the field of production, productivity and integration of research and innovations. Presently NCL contributes about 15 percent in domestic coal production which is equivalent to more than 10 percent of power generation of the country. Sinha was addressing the 3rd ICOMS-2020 on Friday at Singrauli, the energy capital of India.

He also said that as far as demand of domestic coal is concerned, it will increase in upcoming decades in order to bridge the gap between demand and supply of coal, the subsequent reduction in coal import of the country, improving the plant load factor (PLF) of existing TPPs and to feed upcoming new TPPs. He also reiterated the fact that the company will easily achieve and surpass the production target of 113.25 MT for FY 2020-21.

Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL)

NCL is aiming at 130 MT by FY 2023-24 in order to contribute 1 billion tonnes (BT) coal production target of Coal India and to make the country self-reliant in the coal sector. With a planned road map, NCL is investing about Rs 7,000 crore to upgrade its infrastructure and amenities to boost the required production. This will also provide huge employment opportunities. NCL is also working on the First Mile Connectivity projects with an investment of about Rs 2,700 crore to dispatch the coal through mechanised, digitalised, and eco-friendly mode. NCL is the only coal company with an existing coal handling plants (CHP) capacity of more than 65 MTPA, will be dispatched more than 130 MT by 2023-24 through CHP after completion of all planned FMC projects.

In the step towards diversification of its portfolio, NCL is in the final stage of establishing 50 MW solar power plant at Nigahi Project and has the target of 280 MW Solar power by FY 2023-24 to become a net-zero energy company.

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