Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today said Coal India will set up 20 new washeries with a combined capacity of 111 million tonnes to help realise a better price for its produce. Addressing a coal gas summit in New Delhi, Jaiswal said the remaining are non-coking coal washeries, with a total capacity of 39.40 million tonnes per annum. The ministry had earlier estimated that establishment of the new washeries will require an investment of 2,500 crore rupees, with a view to reduce the ash content in coal produced by Coal India Limited and improve its calorific value, among other things.AIR correspondent adds that a number of private operators are already into coalwashing in the country and the power sector has started using washed coal for producing electricity considering its economic and environmental benefits. Coal washing is being promoted in the country as a number of studies have shown that washed coal has higher calorific value than unwashed coal, translating into better power generation. The lower ash content of washed coal results in lower emissions as well.