Disha Tandon, Pune
Within its stainless steel manufacturing facility in Hisar, Haryana, Jindal Stainless Ltd. (JSL) has initiated India’s first green hydrogen project, marking an ambitious step towards environmental sustainability. This ground-breaking project has been launched by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Union Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation and marked a significant step towards the industrial sector’s reduction of carbon emissions and supporting India’s goal of reaching Net Zero carbon emissions.
JSL and Hygenco’s partnership has resulted in a state-of-the-art green hydrogen plant. It aims to reduce carbon emissions by about 2,700 tons annually, which would prevent nearly 54,000 tons of CO2 emissions over the next two decades. With its use of floating solar panels to reduce water loss and sustainable solar energy to produce hydrogen, the plant represents a significant advancement for the stainless steel sector.
Prominent personalities such as Steel Secretary Nagendra Nath Sinha, Managing Director of Jindal Stainless Abhyuday Jindal, and CEO of Hygenco Amit Bansal attended the ceremonial opening.Their presence demonstrated how the public and private sectors are united in their support of greener and cleaner industrial technology.
For their groundbreaking work JSL and Hygenco were congratulated by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. In his address, Scindia emphasized the initiative’s alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a net zero-emission India by 2070. He was optimistic that different business leaders would be motivated to adopt environmentally friendly methods and innovations through this project.
The project was undertaken by Abhyuday Jindal, JSL’s Managing Director as merely a kick-off of the firm’s voyage towards sustainability. “Sustainability is more than an objective for us; it’s an essential part of our DNA. This pilot project is just the tip of the iceberg. We intend on expanding green hydrogen utilization in other stainless steel production methodologies, understanding that pursuing sustainability is an ongoing journey, one that demands persistent toil and revolution,” he clarified.
In terms of technical advancements, the establishment boasts an alkaline bipolar electrolyzer with a potent capacity of 350 Nm3/hr, promising a steady production of green hydrogen fueled by autonomous solar power and storage solutions. By expanding the options for energy sources, this step not only improves energy safety but also reduces their carbon footprint.
The positive reaction that JSL’s sustainability initiatives received from the market was demonstrated by the company’s stock performance; in the previous session, its shares on the BSE closed 2.87% higher at Rs 682.10. This spike in the stock price, which is almost at its all-time high, demonstrates investor confidence in the company’s progressive outlook and capacity to lead the shift to a more environmentally friendly financial system. The company establishes a standard that the steel industry and the larger manufacturing sector must adhere to as it begins this journey toward sustainable production.
The green hydrogen project in Hisar is a testament to the potential of renewable energy solutions in reducing the environmental impact of industrial processes, marking a significant step towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.