State-owned Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy at the institute, according to a government press release dated October 22.

The MoU was signed by Achyut Ghatak, Director (Technical), CIL, and V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, in the presence of P.M. Prasad, Chairman, CIL, along with senior officials from both organisations.

The Centre will serve as a national hub for advanced research and development, as well as capacity-building initiatives in sustainable energy technologies. Supported by CIL’s funding and aligned with its diversification strategy, the Centre will focus on developing solutions for repurposing coal mines, advancing low-carbon technologies, and reimagining coal as a key feedstock in India’s clean energy future.

This collaboration reflects the shared vision of CIL and IIT Madras to strengthen India’s energy transition through indigenous research, technological innovation, and academic excellence in pursuit of the country’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.

According to the release, the initiative marks an important milestone in CIL’s ongoing transformation from being the nation’s primary energy supplier to becoming a central player in India’s clean energy ecosystem. The partnership is expected to generate innovative, home-grown solutions to enhance energy security, support decarbonisation, and drive inclusive economic growth.

For IIT Madras, the tie-up underscores the institute’s focus on industry–academia partnerships as a cornerstone of its research-led approach to sustainability. The collaboration will facilitate the creation of scalable and impactful technologies to accelerate India’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Centre will also contribute to human capital development through doctoral, postdoctoral, and internship programmes designed to train future researchers and engineers in the field of sustainable and renewable energy.

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