India marked the virtual inauguration of the world’s inaugural off-grid Green Hydrogen Plant in the stainless steel sector. Spearheaded by Union Minister for Steel and Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, the event at Jindal Stainless Ltd in Hisar showcased India’s resolute commitment to a green and sustainable future in the post-COVID era.
Present at the inauguration were key figures, including Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Nagendra Nath Sinha, Managing Director, Jindal Stainless Ltd Abhyuday Jindal, and Founder of Hygenco Amit Bansal, alongside other officials from the Ministry of Steel.
The Minister underscored India’s emergence as a global leader in sustainability, accentuating the nation’s dedication to responsible economic progress. India’s rich history of environmentalism, deeply rooted in traditions, is now being rejuvenated through modern strategies, evident in initiatives like Panchamrit and Mission LiFE, embodying a holistic approach to development.
Encouraging a focus on ‘green growth’ and ‘green jobs,’ the Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to achieving the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2070. He also highlighted India’s strides in the steel sector, transforming from a net importer to a net exporter and aspiring to claim the title of the world’s largest producer of crude steel.
A linchpin in this journey is the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched last year with a substantial budget, supporting pilot projects in the steel sector until FY 2029-30. The Minister applauded the commissioning of India’s first long-term off-take green hydrogen plant by Hygenco and Jindal Stainless, commending its alignment with the government’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable future.
This groundbreaking project boasts several global firsts, including being the world’s first off-grid Green Hydrogen plant for the stainless steel industry and featuring rooftop & floating solar. Its objective is to significantly reduce carbon emissions by around 2,700 metric ton per annum and 54,000 ton of CO2 emissions over the next two decades.
Emphasising the monumental significance of energy transition in the evolving global landscape, the Minister urged industry stakeholders to embrace clean technologies actively. He stressed the transformative journey towards a greener economy and the creation of a conscientious industrial landscape.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s unwavering commitment to robust national green policies, with 13 task forces identifying action points for each aspect of green steel production and the implementation of the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy to enhance the availability of domestically generated scrap.
As India achieves this historic milestone, it stands as a beacon for global environmental stewardship and a testament to the transformative power of sustainable industrial practices.