Himachal CM Paves Way for Green Hydrogen Future

Himachal Pradesh Stages for Green Hydrogen Revolution with New 1-MW Plant.

Himachal Pradesh is very well-prepared to become India's first green energy state by March 2026. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for the district's first-ever 1MW green hydrogen plant Dabhota on Wednesday in Solan. The firm, in making Himachal Pradesh enter the fold of renewable energy, has inked a pact with Oil India Limited on this project.

The estimated cost of building this facility would come up to Rs 9.04 crore. The project would take a year to get completed. It would be one of the key parts that Himachal Pradesh uses in order to cut carbon emission and introduce novel clean energy alternatives. The project is designed to be part of broader state strategy in pursuing renewable sources of energy in manufacturing green hydrogen, pure and clean fuel based on electrolysis of water by renewable electricity.

This will be accomplished through electrolysis, employing renewable energy sources where the electrolyte utilized is alkaline potassium hydroxide. This means much more cuts for greenhouse gas emission as opposed to any other form of conventional old hydrogen production mechanism. Therefore, in this perspective, it will be a much cleaner ecosystem energy system.

The Dabhota plant would have produced 423 kilograms of green hydrogen on a daily basis. Water required would be 13 liters per kilogram of the hydrogen meant to be taken through the underground reservoirs through tube wells. Electricity would be about 52.01 units per kilogram of hydrogen during the whole process of production. Production would be about 1,54,395 kilograms of green hydrogen every year if the production would be fully at capacity.

This green hydrogen plant will prove of utmost importance in the state's transition process towards green energy. On April 26, 2023, Oil India Limited was signed a memorandum of understanding with, after which the developmental work of this plant has been started. It deals with the development of solar energy, green hydrogen, geothermal energy, and compressed biogas in the state.

Careful analysis resulted in the choice of land in Dabhota for the plant, measuring 4,000 square meters. The geographical location will make it easier for the plant to use renewable sources of energy and produce efficiently eventually.

Himachal Pradesh is seeking green hydrogen technology in a larger state policy that intends to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impacts. The state has already made a lot of strides in the renewable energy sector with hydroelectric and solar power at the forefront.

This green hydrogen will thus lower the carbon footprint of the state in the next few years because it complements its renewed energy plans perfectly. This number of units will not only open up employment opportunities but also usher in the innovative spirit of clean technology. This project will also pave the way for more investments to come to this area. The state government is eager to take this renewable energy infrastructure ahead for quickening the process to make it one of the Indian Green Energy hubs.

Project Details:

Location: Dabhota, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh
Cost: Rs 9.04 crore
Developed by: Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited, in association with Oil India Limited
Production capacity: 423 kilograms of green hydrogen per day
Annual Production: 1,54,395 kilograms of green hydrogen
Water requirement: 13 liters per kilogram of hydrogen
Electricity Consumption: 52.01 units per kilogram of hydrogen
Time taken for completion: One year from the laying of foundation stone.
Dabhota green hydrogen plant will be the first step taken by Himachal Pradesh to be the first state of India as a green energy state by March 2026. The construction of such technology as green hydrogen will be a very first step to take a leading position in the renewable energy sector and sustainability in all corners of the country and to be a role model for other Indian states to stand alike.

Source: Government Press Release, Himachal Pradesh