India Takes Major Step Toward Green Urea & Methanol: SECI Invites EOI to Identify $CO_2$ Sources Nationwide

New Delhi — In a strategic push under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has officially issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to map and identify Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$) sources across India.

The initiative aims to lay the ground for producing Green Urea for the domestic agricultural sector and RFNBO-compliant Green Methanol for international shipping and export markets.

EOI Overview & Key Highlights

This market consultation exercise will help SECI and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) assess the availability, location, purity, and readiness of industrial and biogenic $CO_2$ sources nationwide.

• Issuing Authority: Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI)
• EOI Document No.: SECI/C&P/EOI/17/0003/26-27
• Official Issue Date: August 3, 2026
• Application Fee: Nil (Free of cost)
• Pre-EOI Meeting: August 18, 2026 at 02:30 PM IST (Virtual via Microsoft Teams)
• Submission Deadline & Opening: As specified in the active schedule on the official SECI website (seci.co.in)

Dual-Focus Pathways: Green Urea & Green Methanol

The document categorizes $CO_2$ sourcing into two distinct operational scopes based on market standards:

1. RFNBO-Compliant Green Methanol (Export & Maritime Focus)

Targets international shipping standards under European Union regulations (RED III and FuelEU Maritime). Eligible carbon sources include:

• Biogenic $CO_2$: Sourced from distilleries, biogas facilities, sugar/ethanol plants, and biomass processing.
• Direct Air Capture (DAC): Advanced ambient atmospheric capture systems.
• Industrial Point-Source $CO_2$: Qualified point-source emissions adhering to carbon accounting guidelines.

2. Green Urea Production (Domestic Focus)

Combines green ammonia (derived from renewable hydrogen) with captured $CO_2$ to manufacture urea locally, significantly reducing India’s dependence on imported natural gas and fossil-based urea inputs.

Who Should Participate?

SECI invites participation from:

• Industrial plant operators & manufacturing facilities
• Agro-based units & distilleries
• Biogas & waste-to-energy producers
• Technology providers and Direct Air Capture (DAC) developers
• $CO_2$ transport and carbon capture infrastructure firms

Key Contact Details for Applicants

For further information or inquiries regarding the document:

• Nodal Officer: Sh. Atulya Kumar Naik, Executive Director (Contracts & Procurement)
• Contracts Queries: Sh. Pratik Prasun (pratikpr@seci.co.in) / Sh. Abhisekh Srivastav (abhisekhsri@seci.co.in)
• Technical Queries: Sh. Abhishek Kr. Ambasta (akambasta@seci.co.in) / Sh. Piyush Verma (pverma.09@seci.co.in)
• Official Portal: www.seci.co.in