India, US sign pact for FutureGen project

India and the US on Monday signed an agreement for New Delhi's participation in the prestigious $950 million FutureGen project, which aims at producing electricity from coal without any carbon emission.

The Framework Protocol, signed by power secretary R V Shahi and US Assistant Secretary of Energy Jeffrey D Jarret, follows the decision taken during the visit of President George W Bush last month.

"It makes us proud to say that India is the first government member in the prestigious project. The government will contribute $10 million in this," Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said.

The FutureGen project is a public-private initiative to build and operate the world's first coal-based power plant in the US that removes and captures carbon dioxide while it produces electricity and hydrogen.

The project, expected to be commissioned by 2012, could also see participation by Indian companies, Shahi said adding India would benefit immensely from the project.

As per protocol, participation in the project would entitle India to full membership on the FutureGen Government Stering Committee to provide guidance on the project, relating to scope, design, objectives, testing and evaluation.

India would also have access to reports and other project related information, access to Indian scientists and engineers for visiting project facility and a royalty-free license in all countries to translate, reproduce and distribute reports arising from cooperation under the agreement.

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