IIT Bombay and NTPC Lead India’s First Underground Carbon Dioxide Storage Drilling Project – EQ
In Short : IIT Bombay and NTPC have jointly led India’s first underground carbon dioxide storage drilling project, marking a major milestone in the country’s carbon capture and storage journey. The initiative demonstrates India’s growing capability in climate mitigation technologies and supports long-term decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors through scientific research and industry collaboration.
In Detail : India has achieved a significant milestone in its climate action efforts with the launch of the country’s first underground carbon dioxide storage drilling project. Led by IIT Bombay in collaboration with NTPC, the initiative marks a major step toward developing carbon capture and storage capabilities within India.
The project focuses on exploring the feasibility of safely storing captured carbon dioxide deep underground in suitable geological formations. Such storage is considered critical for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as power generation, steel, cement, and other heavy industries.
IIT Bombay is playing a central role by providing scientific expertise, research leadership, and advanced analysis of geological and subsurface conditions. Academic involvement ensures that the project is grounded in rigorous research and global best practices.
NTPC’s participation highlights the importance of industry engagement in advancing climate mitigation technologies. As India’s largest power producer, NTPC’s involvement demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing emissions from thermal power generation.
The drilling project enables the collection of valuable subsurface data, including rock properties, pressure conditions, and storage capacity assessments. This information is essential for evaluating the long-term safety and effectiveness of underground CO₂ storage.
Successful implementation of carbon storage projects requires strong regulatory frameworks and public confidence. Pilot initiatives such as this help inform policy development and establish standards for monitoring, verification, and risk management.
The project also contributes to capacity building in emerging climate technologies. Engineers, researchers, and students gain hands-on experience in carbon storage techniques, strengthening India’s technical capabilities in this critical field.
Underground carbon dioxide storage complements other decarbonization strategies such as renewable energy expansion, energy efficiency, and hydrogen development. Together, these solutions provide a more comprehensive pathway toward net-zero goals.
Overall, the IIT Bombay–NTPC underground CO₂ storage drilling project represents a foundational step in India’s carbon capture and storage journey. It signals growing momentum in deploying advanced climate technologies to support long-term emissions reduction and sustainable industrial development.
