GAIL (India)’s commissioning of its first green hydrogen plant in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh marks a milestone in India’s journey toward sustainable energy.
This development aligns with the nation’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to establish a robust green hydrogen production capacity.
The Vijaipur plant, featuring a 10-megawatt proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer imported from Canada, is designed to produce approximately 4.3 tonnes of green hydrogen daily with a purity of 99.999%. The process relies on renewable energy, primarily solar power, to split water molecules and generate hydrogen. This approach aligns with the global push for green hydrogen, which is seen as a key component in reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
GAIL’s initiative supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which targets an annual production capacity of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. This mission underscores the country’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint while addressing its expanding energy needs. However, achieving this target requires substantial advancements in technology, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks.
On a global scale, countries like the US, Europe, and China are leading the green hydrogen race, driven by strong regulatory support and significant investments. BloombergNEF forecasts that these regions will dominate the global supply of low-carbon hydrogen by the end of the decade, accounting for 80% of the output. In this context, GAIL’s project, while commendable, represents an initial step in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving sector.
The Vijaipur plant’s utilization of PEM electrolyzer technology is in line with current industry standards for green hydrogen production. PEM electrolyzers are favored for their efficiency and ability to operate with intermittent renewable energy sources. However, the plant’s scale—producing 4.3 tonnes of hydrogen daily—is relatively modest compared to global projects. For instance, larger-scale operations in Europe and North America are aiming for capacities in the hundreds of megawatts to gigawatts range.
GAIL’s strategy includes blending the produced hydrogen with natural gas for use in its existing processes and equipment. This blended approach is experimental, with an initial focus on captive usage and potential retail distribution in nearby areas. The company is also exploring increased blending ratios, pending regulatory approvals, which currently limit hydrogen blends to 5% with natural gas.
