‘Big step taken today’: Yogi Adityanath inaugurates UP’s first green hydrogen project
Torrent Group's plant will mix 2% green hydrogen with CNG and PNG for city gas distribution.
3 min read
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the inauguration of the green hydrogen plant of Torrent Group in Gorakhpur. (PTI)Claiming that “a big step has been taken today”, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday inaugurated the state’s first green hydrogen plant in Gorakhpur, with the project aiming to produce 72,000 tonnes of green fuel in a year.
The plant launched by Torrent Group will blend hydrogen with natural gas for distribution, and is being touted as “a significant step in India’s energy transition”.
“This is the first such plant in Uttar Pradesh and only second in the country. A big step has been taken today as this plant would ensure blending of green hydrogen with CNG (compressed natural gas) and PNG (piped natural gas),” the Chief Minister said.
As a pilot project, the plant will mix 2% green hydrogen with natural gas (both CNG and PNG) for city gas distribution systems.
“The solar power is available only till there is sunlight. But this is the future source of energy. Research is going on to ensure that electricity is generated from hydrogen for round-the-clock supply. This new energy might be costly for the time being but just like mobile tariffs, it would become cheaper in the future,” said Adityanath.
Speaking on the issue of climate change, he said, “The rainfall, which is taking place now, should have occurred in July itself. It is all because of the climate change which is affecting the crops and how humans are playing not just with the environment but also lives.”
But this can be changed with the use of organic farming and the use of alternative sources of energy, he added.
“Uttar Pradesh has a great potential in green hydrogen energy because of its water resources when compared to other states,” the CM said.
What is green hydrogen
Green hydrogen is hydrogen gas produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity produced through renewable energy sources. The green here doesn't mean that the produced hydrogen gas is of green colour; it is a reference to zero usage of fossil fuels in the production of hydrogen gas.
Officials informed that the 2 MW renewable energy plant will generate hydrogen through electrolysis, reducing carbon emissions by around 500 tonnes.
The state came up with its Green Hydrogen Policy last year, wherein the government will provide incentives and rebates for setting up of green hydrogen and green ammonia production facilities. The policy offers a 30% capital subsidy which will be up to 40 per cent for the first four projects in the state.
Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan, who also attended the programme, termed the project a “game-changer” that would script a new energy revolution in the district, while Sahjanwa MLA Pradeep Shukla said such projects were steering UP towards becoming a developed state by 2047.
The CM also planted a Rudraksha sapling at the site, symbolising the state’s commitment to environmental protection. — PTI inputs
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