GAIL inaugurates 10 MW Green Hydrogen Plant in MP; its first in the country

In a significant step towards sustainable energy, Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) has launched its first green hydrogen plant at GAIL Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh. The initiative supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission, highlighting India’s dedication to advancing alternative energy sources.

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

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

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

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

To ensure a consistent supply of green power for the 10 MW PEM electrolyser, GAIL is not only utilizing renewable power through open access but is also establishing around 20 MW of solar power plants at Vijaipur, including ground-mounted and floating installations.

Hydrogen is a crucial industrial fuel with applications in producing ammonia (a key fertilizer), steel, refineries, and electricity. The energy industry categorizes hydrogen based on its production method. Currently, most hydrogen production is ‘grey,’ but the future lies in ‘green’ hydrogen.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

The National Green Hydrogen Mission, a flagship initiative by the Indian government, aims to advance the development and adoption of green hydrogen technologies nationwide.

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

Significant progress has been made towards this goal, with tenders awarded to support the production of 412,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per annum. Additionally, tenders have been issued to establish 1,500 MW of annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity, bolstering India’s infrastructure for large-scale green hydrogen production.