Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Sukhu, inaugurated the region's first green hydrogen plant in Dabhota, Nalagarh tehsil, aiming for completion within a year. This initiative is part of the state's broader goal to lead in renewable energy by 2026.Key Takeaways
- Foundation laid for north India's first 1 MW green hydrogen plant.
- Partnership between HPPCL and Oil India Ltd.
- Investment of Rs 9.04 crore for the project.
- Target completion within one year.
- Production capacity of 423 kg of green hydrogen daily.
Shimla, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Sukhu, on Wednesday, laid the foundation stone for north India's inaugural 1 MW green hydrogen facility at Dabhota in the Nalagarh tehsil of Solan district.
This groundbreaking project, developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) in partnership with Oil India Ltd, is set to be built with an investment of Rs 9.04 crore.
The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that the project is completed within a year.
During his speech, the Chief Minister reiterated Himachal Pradesh’s goal of becoming India’s foremost Green Energy State by March 2026. He highlighted that the Dabhota green hydrogen facility represents a significant achievement in the state's renewable energy trajectory.
"This initiative is a vital part of Himachal Pradesh’s mission to position itself as a frontrunner in renewable energy and sustainability," he stated.
To advance this vision, the state government entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oil India Ltd on April 26, 2023, concentrating on the development of solar energy, green hydrogen, geothermal energy, and compressed biogas.
Sukhu indicated that a 4,000-square-metre land area in Dabhota was selected for the facility after a thorough evaluation.
As the state’s first large-scale green hydrogen project, this initiative highlights the government's dedication to sustainable energy solutions. The facility will harness energy from renewable sources to generate hydrogen through electrolysis, employing an alkaline potassium hydroxide solution as an electrolyte.
This technique significantly curtails greenhouse gas emissions and fosters a cleaner energy ecosystem, he added.
Sukhu noted that with a production capacity of 423 kg of green hydrogen per day, the facility will need 13 litres of water per kg of hydrogen, sourced from underground reserves via tubewells. The production process will consume approximately 52.01 units of electricity per kg of hydrogen. Annually, the facility is anticipated to produce 1,54,395 kg of green hydrogen. He also emphasized the state government’s broader commitment to green energy, including progress towards reaching a 500 MW solar energy target.
