The Jharkhand Government on August 25 inked a pact with TCPL Green Energy Solutions Private Limited (TGESPL) to set up the country’s ‘first’ hydrogen fuel project in Jamshedpur at an estimated cost of over Rs 350 crores.

It will become one of the first states in India to open its door for manufacturing of advanced technology solutions and contribute to reducing the nation's carbon footprint.

About the agreement

The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who termed the occasion as "momentous". TCPL GES is a joint venture between Tata Motors and Cummins Inc, USA. The capacity of the proposed unit, which would entail an investment of Rs 354.28 crore, will be over 4,000 hydrogen IC engine/fuel agnostic engines and more than 10,000 battery systems.

Soren said this is the first hydrogen fuel project of the country, and hydrogen engines built in Jharkhand would be sent across India. "Climate change is a matter of concern, and to mitigate environmental concerns, this will act as a milestone”.

The facility is expected to start commercial production in March 2024, and likely provide employment to about 1,000 people directly or indirectly.

About Hydrogen Fuel

Hydrogen is a clean fuel that, when consumed in a fuel cell, produces only water. Hydrogen can be produced from a variety of domestic resources, such as natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, and renewable power like solar and wind. These qualities make it an attractive fuel option for transportation and electricity generation applications. It can be used in cars, in houses, for portable power, and in many more applications.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can be used to store, move, and deliver energy produced from other sources.

Hydrogen fuel can be produced through several methods. The most common methods today are natural gas reforming (a thermal process), and electrolysis. Other methods include solar-driven and biological processes.