Recently, the environmental impact assessment documents for two coal-to-gas projects in Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang, have been approved by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. This development marks a crucial step forward in Xinjiang’s modern coal chemical industry as it undergoes a transition toward low-carbon and cleaner production.

The two approved projects are being invested and constructed by Guoneng Xinjiang Coal-to-Gas Co., Ltd. and Xinjiang Tianchi Energy Co., Ltd. in the Jun Dong Economic and Technological Development Zone in Xinjiang. Each project is planned to produce 2 billion cubic meters of coal-to-gas annually, with a total investment reaching 34.08 billion yuan. Both projects adopt advanced domestic coal-to-gas technologies and integrate low-carbon technologies such as green hydrogen coupling and carbon capture and storage (CCUS), focusing on achieving low-carbon and environmentally friendly goals across the entire energy production chain.

The Xinjiang Tianchi Energy Jundong 2-billion-cubic-meter-per-year coal-to-gas project is located in the Jiangjunmiao Industrial Park. The total investment amounts to 17.039 billion yuan, of which 1.912 billion yuan is allocated to environmental protection, accounting for 11.22% of the total investment. The Guoneng Xinjiang Jundong 2-billion-cubic-meter-per-year coal-to-gas project is situated in the Xiheshan Industrial Park. Its total investment is 17.044 billion yuan, with environmental protection investments totaling 2.937 billion yuan, representing 17.23% of the total investment. Upon commissioning, the project will create more than 1,700 jobs.

Changji Prefecture is rich in coal resources and is accelerating the development of an industrial cluster for clean and efficient coal utilization. The two projects have distinct layouts in terms of raw material consumption and supporting facilities: The Guoneng Xinjiang Project requires 4.6178 million tons of raw coal and 458,600 tons of fuel coal annually, and is equipped with a carbon dioxide capture, storage, and enhanced oil recovery facility capable of capturing and storing 550,000 tons of CO2 per year. The Xinjiang Tianchi Energy Project requires 5.3203 million tons of raw coal and 250,600 tons of fuel coal annually, and is equipped with a hydrogen production facility using electrolysis of water at a capacity of 15,000 cubic meters per hour, as well as a carbon dioxide capture and storage facility with a capacity of 900,000 tons per year.

After the two projects come into operation, they are expected to convert over 10 million tons of coal annually, producing clean energy sources such as pipeline natural gas and liquefied natural gas, as well as high-value-added byproducts including naphtha and tar.