GAIL Commissions 10 MW Green Hydrogen Plant in Madhya Pradesh to Produce 4.3 Tonnes Daily

State-owned GAIL (India) Ltd has inaugurated its first green hydrogen plant at Vijaipur in Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into alternative energy sources. The 10-megawatt proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser for this facility was imported from Canada.

The plant will produce approximately 4.3 tonnes of green hydrogen per day, with a purity level of 99.999 percent. The hydrogen is produced by using renewable energy, primarily solar power, to split water molecules. This initiative aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to achieve an annual green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million tonnes by 2030. This mission is part of the country’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions while addressing its growing energy demands.

Initially, the hydrogen produced at this facility will be used as fuel along with natural gas for various processes and equipment within the Vijaipur complex. In the future, GAIL plans to distribute this hydrogen to retail customers in nearby areas using high-pressure cascades.

To support the green hydrogen plant, GAIL is also establishing around 20 MW of solar power capacity at Vijaipur, including both ground-mounted and floating solar panels. This renewable power will meet the energy needs of the 10 MW PEM electrolyser.

GAIL is experimenting with blending hydrogen into its city gas distribution network in Indore, with current regulations allowing for a 5 percent hydrogen blend with natural gas. Joint studies with Engineers India Limited and IIT Kanpur are underway to explore the potential for increasing the blending ratio, pending necessary approvals.