India's 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Steel Sector Unveiled at Hisar

Union Steel Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually inaugurated India's first green hydrogen plant in the stainless steel sector at Jindal Stainless Limited in Hisar, Haryana. 

• This is the world's first green hydrogen plant for the stainless steel industry, which operates off-grid and utilizes rooftop and floating solar. 
• The project will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 2,700 metric tonnes per annum and 54,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next two decades. 
• Mr Scindia emphasized that India is committed to a green and sustainable future, highlighting the need for responsible economic progress in the post-COVID era. India has made significant progress in the steel sector, transitioning from a net importer to a net exporter and aiming to become the world's largest producer of crude steel. 
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched last year with an outlay of around twenty thousand crore rupees to make India a global hub for producing, using, and exporting green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Green Hydrogen:

Green hydrogen is a renewable energy source that is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis. This process is carried out using electrolyzers that are powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. 

India relies heavily on imports for its energy needs, with 85% of its total mineral oil and 53% of its gas requirements being met through imports. Therefore, green hydrogen is considered to be critical to India's energy security..

National Green Hydrogen Mission:

The Government of India has set an ambitious target of achieving carbon-net zero by the year 2070 and becoming energy independent by 2047. 

To achieve this, green hydrogen will play a pivotal role. Given the increasing demand for clean energy worldwide, the Indian Prime Minister announced the National Hydrogen Mission on 15th August 2021. 

The Union Cabinet approved the mission on 4th January 2023.

 The mission aims at achieving a generation capacity of at least 5 million metric tonnes per annum, with the addition of renewable energy capacity of about 125 GW in the country by 2030. 

Green hydrogen is a clean energy source produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower.

Stainless steel

An alloy of iron and chromium is mixed to make Stainless steel. The amount of chromium present in it is at least 10.5%. The composition and ratios of stainless steel varies according to the grade and intended use