In 21st century, the world faces serious energy-related threat of not having adequate and secure supplies of energy at affordable prices and India is no exception.

Coal is now the world’s fastest-growing fuel In fact, coal has a strong record of positive contribution not only to the world’s energy requirement but also to that of India’s as well. Coal provides 28% of all primary energy and 40% of the world’s electricity. It is also a direct input into 66% of global steel production. As an affordable and accessible fuel, it would be hard to overstate the importance of coal to raising many developing countries.


The development of the Indian economy is leading to a boom in coal imports as India fights to secure energy for its future. Major consumers of coal from sectors like Power and Steel are looking to new markets for supply, whilst Australia, Indonesia and South Africa are taking on increasing importance. New sources of coal supplies are being sought as Indian coal consumers push to acquire overseas mining rights, as well as seeking allocations of new domestic coal blocks for development under newly liberalized licensing proposals.

The projected figures of additional power generation 80000 MW of power by 2012 and 300 Mt of Steel by 2020 would be difficult to make realistic in spite of all genuine efforts from industry incase the adequate and secure supplies of coal is not ensured.

Coal fuels the nation, and will continue to be a driver of economic and social development. With so much at stake, there has never been a better time get together and develop a blueprint for the future of this massive industry in India. The initiative would an excellent opportunity for the industry to look at the past, and plan for the years ahead. It will deliver real outcomes and real takeaways and drive home the prosperity of India’s coal sector.

With this backdrop Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in association with the Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Mines, Government of India is organizing India Coal Summit 2008 at The Hotel ITC Maurya, New Delhi on 5th September 2008.