The Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) inaugurated its first hydrogen green plant in Madhya Pradesh, signalling a significant advancement in new and alternative energy initiatives. The installation aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Pankaj Jain, the Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, and Sandeep Gupta, the Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL.
GAIL reports that the Green Hydrogen plant is capable of producing 4.3 TPD of hydrogen through 10MW PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) Electrolyzer units. The process involves the electrolysis of water using renewable power. The hydrogen produced from this plant boasts a purity of 99.999 per cent (by volume) and is manufactured at a pressure of 30 Kg/cm2.
Initially, the hydrogen produced from this unit will fuel various processes and equipment in the existing plant at Vijaipur, alongside natural gas, for captive purposes.
Furthermore, GAIL plans to dispense this hydrogen to retail customers in nearby areas and transport it through high-pressure cascades. Additionally, the company states that apart from sourcing renewable power through open access, it is also establishing approximately 20 MW of solar power plants at Vijaipur, both ground-mounted and floating, to fulfil the green power requirement for the 10 MW PEM Electrolyzer.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, initiated by the Government of India, is a flagship endeavour aimed at promoting the advancement and uptake of green hydrogen technologies within the country. The mission sets a target of achieving an annual green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million tonnes by 2030, signifying a substantial stride towards fulfilling India’s aspirations in the hydrogen economy.
The government has achieved significant advancements in this area by awarding tenders for incentives to bolster green hydrogen production, totalling 412,000 tonnes per annum. Furthermore, tenders have been granted for the construction of electrolyser manufacturing capacity, reaching 1,500 MW per annum, thus enhancing India’s capability to produce green hydrogen on a large scale.
Image source: PTI
