Image Source: Moneycontrol
Uttar Pradesh has heralded a significant milestone in its pursuit of sustainable energy with the inauguration of its first green hydrogen plant at Khanimpur village near Gorakhpur district. This facility is not only the first of its kind in Uttar Pradesh but also the country’s second operational green hydrogen plant, underscoring India’s broader ambitions under the National Green Hydrogen Mission 2030 to transition towards clean, renewable energy.
Key Highlights of the Gorakhpur Green Hydrogen Plant
The plant was inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who emphasized the importance of green energy in reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and improving public health.
Developed by Torrent Power and Torrent Gas, the facility boasts an annual production capacity of 72 tonnes of green hydrogen.
This green hydrogen will be blended at up to 2 percent concentration with natural gas in Torrent Gas' city gas distribution pipeline network, supplying domestic households, CNG stations, and industries across Gorakhpur and neighboring districts.
The plant uses electrolysis powered by 2 MW of renewable energy (solar, wind, or hydropower) to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, producing hydrogen without fossil fuel emissions.
This initiative makes green hydrogen directly accessible to common people by integrating it with existing energy infrastructures—the first step towards mainstreaming sustainable fuel use in everyday life.
Torrent Group has the license to provide city gas distribution services in Gorakhpur, Sant Kabirnagar, and Kushinagar districts, running 32 CNG stations and supplying piped natural gas to over 12,000 homes and 73 commercial and industrial establishments.
Strategic Significance and National Goals
Uttar Pradesh aims to produce one million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2028, supported by a specific state green hydrogen policy introduced in 2024 encouraging investments in this sector.
The blending of green hydrogen with natural gas contributes to reducing India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and lowers carbon footprints in domestic and commercial energy consumption.
The project aligns seamlessly with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for India’s energy transition, placing the state and the nation on a path to net-zero emissions.
Green hydrogen production follows global trends as a critical clean fuel alternative, with broad applications in transportation, power generation, and industrial processes.
Remarks by Leadership and Industry Players
Chief Minister Adityanath stressed that green energy is not just eco-friendly but also essential to combating pollution-related health issues like respiratory ailments and cancer, advocating natural farming and environmental stewardship.
Jinal Mehta, Director of Torrent Group, declared the project a pioneering achievement and a pilot for scaling up large green hydrogen plants across India.
Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan called the plant a “game-changer,” forecasting a new energy revolution for the region and strengthening economic opportunities.
The plant inauguration also featured symbolic environmental gestures, such as the planting of a Rudraksha sapling by the Chief Minister, symbolizing commitment to nature conservation.
Operational and Environmental Impact
The blending project is the largest of its kind in India’s City Gas Distribution sector and represents a tangible reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Integrating green hydrogen into existing gas networks maximizes infrastructure usage while paving the way for clean molecules in the energy mix.
The plant serves as an example of innovative, decentralized green energy production bringing benefits directly to urban and rural consumers.
Future Prospects and Expansion Plans
Inspired by the success of this pilot, the Torrent Group plans further green hydrogen plants in other parts of India, amplifying hydrogen’s role in the clean energy ecosystem.
Uttar Pradesh’s targeted policy support and abundant renewable resources position the state as a future leader in hydrogen production and usage.
Continued innovation and investment in renewable energy technologies will drive down costs, making green hydrogen economically viable and accessible on a large scale in the years to come.
Conclusion
Uttar Pradesh’s first green hydrogen plant inauguration is a landmark moment in India’s green energy narrative, marrying innovation, environmental responsibility, and socioeconomic benefits. It is a crucial step forward in building a sustainable future, where clean fuel alternatives like green hydrogen become integral to energy consumption patterns across India, fulfilling aspirations for a healthier planet and self-reliant energy economy.
Sources: Economic Times, The Statesman, Moneycontrol, The Week
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