New Delhi: NTPC has achieved a groundbreaking advancement in carbon capture and utilisation technology by successfully synthesising methanol from carbon dioxide at its Vindhyachal power plant. This milestone, realised on 6 November 2024, coincided with the eve of NTPC’s 50th Raising Day, reaffirming its dedication to sustainability and innovation.

The project, a unique 10 TPD CO2-to-Methanol Plant, was conceived, designed, and developed by NETRA, the R&D wing of NTPC. The initiative has been executed by the Green Chemical Department of NTPC Vindhyachal, in collaboration with NETRA and the Vindhyachal team. The plant comprises a 20 TPD CO2 capture unit, a 2 TPD PEM-based hydrogen generation project, and a 10 TPD methanol synthesis facility.

The operation of the plant is expected to provide valuable data to enhance in-house catalyst development and scale-up processes. This initiative represents a key step towards reducing emissions from coal-based power plants, aligning with NTPC’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The first methanol synthesis was attended by senior officials of NTPC Vindhyachal, including the Executive Director of Vindhyachal, along with dignitaries from NETRA who joined the event virtually. This achievement is yet another step in NTPC’s legacy of innovation, following milestones such as the commissioning of India’s first ultra-supercritical thermal power plant in Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, in 2019. The Khargone plant, which uses advanced technology to reduce coal consumption and carbon emissions, stands as a testament to NTPC’s commitment to developing cleaner, more efficient energy solutions for the nation.

With this new breakthrough, NTPC continues to lead the way in pioneering sustainable practices, advancing India’s energy transition while meeting the country’s growing power demands.

BI Bureau