Context:

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the state’s first Green Hydrogen Plant in Gorakhpur.

Plant Features:

• This plant has been established by Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group, and it is India’s second and Uttar Pradesh’s first Green Hydrogen Plant.
• Production Capacity: The annual production capacity of the plant is 72 tons of Green Hydrogen, generated through electrolysis using 2 MW renewable energy.
• Usage: Green Hydrogen will be blended with natural gas in 2% proportion and used as CNG (for vehicles) and PNG (domestic cooking gas). This blend will be supplied to households, CNG stations, and industries through the existing gas distribution network.

Environmental Impact:

• Reduction in Carbon Emissions: The plant will prevent 500 tons of carbon emissions annually, making a significant contribution to environmental protection and pollution control.
• Clean Energy Source: Green Hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It supports the achievement of net-zero emissions as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Environmental Protection: During the inauguration ceremony, CM Yogi Adityanath planted a Rudraksha sapling to give a message of environmental conservation. He stated that Green Hydrogen is the “energy of the future,” which will play a decisive role in biodiversity conservation and improving human health.

Government Policies and Support:

• Green Hydrogen Policy 2024: The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced a special policy to promote Green Hydrogen production, aiming at 1 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA).
• Prime Minister’s Vision: The project aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of net-zero emissions and the National Green Hydrogen Mission 2030.
• Renewable Energy Target: Uttar Pradesh has set a target of 22,000 MW renewable energy production, of which 6,000 MW has already been achieved. This plant will contribute to achieving this target.

Green Hydrogen Plant

• Green Hydrogen is a clean and renewable energy source produced by the electrolysis of water (H₂O), using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower.

Green Hydrogen:

• Definition: Green Hydrogen is hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources with minimal or zero carbon emissions.
• Production Process: Electrolysis is used to split water into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂), powered by renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.).

Other Types of Hydrogen:

• Grey Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas, with high carbon emissions.
• Blue Hydrogen: Similar to grey hydrogen, but with carbon capture and storage technology.
• Green Hydrogen: Completely clean, as it relies solely on renewable energy.

Main Components of a Green Hydrogen Plant:

• Electrolyzer: Device that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• Renewable Energy Sources: Solar panels, wind turbines, or hydropower plants.
• Storage & Distribution System: Tanks and pipelines for storing and transporting hydrogen.
• Capacity: Measured in megawatts (MW), determining the amount of electricity used for hydrogen production.

Benefits:

• Environmental: Zero or minimal carbon emissions, helping combat climate change.
• Energy Independence: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
• Diverse Usage: Useful in transportation, power generation, and industrial processes.
• Employment Generation: Creates local jobs through plant construction and operations.

Global and Indian Scenario:

• Global: Countries like Europe, Japan, and Australia are promoting Green Hydrogen.
• The European Union has set a target of 40 GW electrolyzer capacity by 2030.
• India: The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) aims to produce 5 million metric tons of Green Hydrogen annually by 2030.

Major Indian Schemes/Initiatives on Green Hydrogen

Firsts in Green Hydrogen in India

• First Green Hydrogen Policy: Feb 2022, launched by MNRE, target 5 MMTPA by 2030.
• First Green Hydrogen Plant: 20 April 2022, Oil India Limited (OIL), Jorhat (Assam), 10 kg/day capacity.
• First Green Hydrogen Blending Project: Aug 2025, Gorakhpur (UP), by Torrent Gas with 2% blending in CNG/PNG.
• First Green Hydrogen Hub Plan: 2025-26, MNRE plan to establish two hubs.
• First Green Hydrogen Microgrid Project in India: NTPC, Simhadri (Andhra Pradesh, 2022) – country’s first standalone green hydrogen-based energy storage project.
• First Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in India: Ladakh (2022), launched by NTPC.