GAIL (Gas Authority of India Ltd) has launched the nation's inaugural hydrogen green plant in Madhya Pradesh recently, marking a pivotal stride in embracing new and sustainable energy sources, aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
The inauguration ceremony, graced by Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, alongside GAIL's Chairman and Managing Director Sandeep Gupta, heralded a new era in India's energy landscape.
According to GAIL, this Green Hydrogen facility boasts a capacity to produce 4.3 TPD of hydrogen via 10MW PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) Electrolyzer units, utilizing renewable power through water electrolysis. The hydrogen purity is touted at an impressive 99.999 percent (by volume), produced at a pressure of 30 Kg/cm2.
Initially, the hydrogen generated will complement natural gas as a fuel for internal use within various processes and equipment at the existing Vijaipur plant. Subsequently, plans are in place to distribute the hydrogen to local consumers and transport it via high-pressure cascades.
GAIL underscores its commitment to sustainability by not only procuring renewable power through open access but also by establishing approximately 20 MW of solar power infrastructure at Vijaipur, including ground-mounted and floating units, to power the PEM Electrolyzer.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, spearheaded by the Indian government, aims to catalyze the advancement and adoption of green hydrogen technologies nationwide. With a lofty goal of achieving 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, the mission is instrumental in materializing India's aspirations in the hydrogen sector.
The government's strides in this domain are evident, having awarded tenders to incentivize green hydrogen production totaling 412,000 tonnes per annum. Additionally, tenders have been issued to establish electrolyzer manufacturing capacity totaling 1,500 MW per annum, fortifying India's ability to produce green hydrogen at scale.
