NTPC Begins Drilling India’s First CO2 Injection Borewell, Advancing Nation’s Carbon Capture and Net Zero Goals

NTPC Limited has achieved a major breakthrough in India’s clean energy transition by beginning drilling for the country’s first-ever CO2 injection borewell at the Pakri Barwadih Coal Mine in Jharkhand. Spearheaded by NTPC’s R&D arm, NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance), this initiative marks a pivotal step toward advancing India’s Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) roadmap and achieving the nation’s Net Zero target by 2070.

The borewell, expected to reach a depth of about 1,200 meters, will generate critical geological and reservoir data to design a safe and effective CO2 storage process. It will involve comprehensive core and fluid sampling, seismic monitoring, and simulation studies to assess the rock formations’ capacity to securely and permanently store carbon dioxide.

As part of NTPC’s wider CCUS strategy, this project reinforces the company’s leadership in developing indigenous carbon management solutions for India’s energy and industrial sectors. With over 84 GW of installed capacity and 30.9 GW under construction—including 13.3 GW from renewables—NTPC is committed to achieving 60 GW of renewable energy by 2032 and driving innovation, efficiency, and sustainability across India’s power landscape.