According to Power Minister Aroop Biswas, West Bengal is preparing to build a green hydrogen factory in Durgapur after the federal government identified the state as a possible location for its production.
Biswas stated that the Center’s Revamped Distribution Industry Scheme has lined up over Rs 11,900 crore in investment for the power sector. INFOCOM 2022 was organized by the ABP Group (RDSS).
The West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) is preparing to build a green hydrogen plant at Durgapur as a pilot project, he added. “Recently, the Union government has recognized West Bengal as a viable state for green hydrogen and ammonia manufacturing zone.”
The state government will “immediately” carry out significant upgrades at the Kolaghat and Bandel thermal power stations, according to the minister.
The RDSS program, which would invest Rs 11,895 crore for loss reduction, the installation of smart meters, and system modernization to advance the industry on the road of a sustained improvement trajectory, has given the pursuit of energy transition a huge boost, according to Biswas.
In the Murshidabad district, in Sagardighi, a 660-MW supercritical thermal power station is also being built, according to him.
According to the minister, the state has the capacity to add one 660 MW and two 800 MW thermal power units, respectively, at Bakreshwar (Birbhum district) and Santaldih (Purulia district).
In addition, a 500 MW floating solar project at Bakreshwar Dam has received approval from the West Bengal Cabinet, according to Biswas.
