NTPC starts India’s first green hydrogen blending operation in PNG network

Surat/Hazira (Gujarat) : NTPC Kawas has commissioned India’s first green hydrogen blending project at its Hazira plant.

The green hydrogen blending has been started in the piped natural gas (PNG) network of NTPC Kawas township near Surat. The project is a joint effort of NTPC and Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL). The first molecule of green hydrogen from the project was set in motion by the Head of the Project Sh. P Ram Prasad in presence of senior executives of NTPC Kawas and GGL. After the start of blending operation, NTPC Kawas held awareness workshops for township households with help of GGL officials.

NTPC and GGL have worked relentlessly towards achieving this milestone in record time after the foundation stone laying by the Prime Minister of India on July 30, 2022. This set- up is geared up to supply H2- NG gas to households of Kawas Township at Adityanagar, Surat. Green hydrogen in Kawas is made by electrolysis of water using power from already installed 1 MW floating solar project.

PNGRB, the regulatory body has given approval for 5% vol./vol. blending of green hydrogen with PNG to start with and the blending level would be scaled phase wise to reach 20%. Green hydrogen when blended with natural gas reduces CO2 emissions keeping net heating content same.

This feat is achieved only by few select countries like UK, Germany, Australia etc. This would bring the India at the centre stage of the global hydrogen economy. India will not only reduce its hydrocarbon import bill significantly but can also bring forex ashore by being a green hydrogen and green chemicals exporter to the world.