GAIL Inaugurates Its First Green Hydrogen Plant In Madhya Pradesh

In a move towards sustainable energy, GAIL (Gas Authority of India Ltd) inaugurated its first green hydrogen plant.

This development aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, underscoring India's commitment to fostering alternative energy sources.

The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, and Sandeep Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL.

The new facility, equipped with 10MW PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolyser units, can produce 4.3 tonnes per day (TPD) of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water using renewable power.

The hydrogen generated will boast a purity level of 99.999 per cent (by volume) and will be produced at a pressure of 30 kg/cm².

Initially, the green hydrogen from this unit will be utilised as a fuel alongside natural gas for various processes and equipment at the existing plant in Vijaipur. Plans are also in place to distribute this hydrogen to retail customers in nearby areas and transport it via high-pressure cascades.

In addition to utilising renewable power through open access, GAIL is establishing around 20 MW of solar power plants at Vijaipur, including both ground-mounted and floating installations, to ensure a steady supply of green power for the 10 MW PEM electrolyser, reports Mint.

Green Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a key industrial fuel that has a variety of applications including the production of ammonia (a key fertiliser), steel, refineries and electricity.

The energy industry refers to different 'types' of hydrogen to differentiate how it is produced. Although the production of hydrogen remains primarily 'grey' at the moment, the future of hydrogen is 'green'.

Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced via electrolysis, the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen with electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. This is the most environmentally sustainable way of producing hydrogen.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

The National Green Hydrogen Mission, a flagship initiative of the Indian government, aims to propel the development and adoption of green hydrogen technologies across the country.

With an ambitious target of achieving 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, the mission is a pivotal element of India's strategy to build a robust hydrogen economy.

Substantial progress has been made towards this goal, with tenders awarded for incentives supporting the production of 412,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum. Additionally, tenders have been issued for establishing 1,500 MW of annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity, reinforcing India's infrastructure for large-scale green hydrogen production.