In a significant move under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Union Government has greenlit three pilot projects to utilize green hydrogen in steel production. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, marks a critical shift towards sustainable and low-carbon iron and steelmaking.
Objectives of the Pilot Projects
The goal of these projects is to explore and validate advanced technologies in green hydrogen-based steel production. By testing these methods, the government aims to:
- Demonstrate the technical feasibility of using green hydrogen in steelmaking.
- Ensure safe and secure operational practices.
- Assess the economic viability of large-scale hydrogen adoption.
- Ultimately, lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions from the steel sector.
Key Projects and Partnerships
The government has approved three major projects based on proposals from leading industry players:
- Matrix Gas and Renewables Ltd
- Capacity: 50 tons per day (TPD)
- Consortium Members: Gensol Engineering, IIT Bhubaneswar, Metsol AB (Sweden)
- Simplex Castings Ltd
- Capacity: 40 TPD
- Consortium Members: BSBK Pvt. Ltd., Ten Eight Investment, IIT Bhilai
- Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Ranchi
- Capacity: 3200 TPD
These projects will receive a total financial backing of ₹347 crore from the Indian government.
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Green Hydrogen for a Sustainable Future
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched on January 4, 2023, with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, is set to run until FY 2029-30. It aims to:
- Decarbonize India’s economy by reducing fossil fuel dependence.
- Propel India towards self-reliance in clean energy.
- Position India as a global leader in green hydrogen technology.
Path to Clean Steel Production
These pilot projects are expected to be commissioned within the next three years, laying the groundwork for scaling up green hydrogen technologies in India’s steel industry.
