Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for a 1-megawatt (MW) green hydrogen plant in Dabhota, Nalagarh Tehsil of Solan district. The project, being developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) in partnership with Oil India Limited, is set to be completed for Rs 9.04 crore. According to the state government, this will be North India’s first green hydrogen plant, reports ET Manufacturing.
Speaking at the event, CM Sukhu directed officials to ensure the project is completed within a year. He reiterated the state’s goal of becoming India’s first green energy state by March 2026 and called the Dabhota plant a major step forward in Himachal Pradesh’s renewable energy journey.
“This project is an important milestone in our commitment to renewable energy and sustainability,” he said.
The state government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oil India Limited on April 26, 2023, focusing on the development of solar energy, green hydrogen, geothermal energy, and compressed biogas. Following a detailed assessment, a 4,000-square-meter land parcel was chosen for the plant.
As Himachal Pradesh’s first large-scale green hydrogen project, the plant will use power from renewable sources to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This process involves an alkaline potassium hydroxide solution as an electrolyte, significantly cutting down greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a cleaner energy system.
The plant will have a production capacity of 423 kg of green hydrogen per day, requiring 13 liters of water per kg of hydrogen. Water for the plant will be drawn from underground reserves using tube wells.
The project is expected to consume 52.01 units of electricity per kg of hydrogen and produce 1,54,395 kg of green hydrogen annually.
CM Sukhu also emphasized the state government’s broader green energy goals, including its ongoing efforts to achieve a 500 MW solar energy target.
With this initiative, Himachal Pradesh is taking a major step towards sustainable energy solutions, reinforcing its position as a leader in India’s renewable energy sector.
