New Delhi: In a significant move towards sustainable energy, Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) is gearing up to introduce green hydrogen production into its operations, with an aim to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. The refinery has outlined plans to set up hydrogen electrolyzers that will commence the production of green hydrogen by mid-2025.
“We are currently in the process of implementing a project that will initially produce 2.4 KTPA of green hydrogen. Our goal is to increase this capacity to 20 KTPA by 2030,” said Bhaskar Jyoti Phukan, Managing Director of NRL, in an interview with ET Energyworld. This initiative is a part of NRL’s broader strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to the global energy transition.
NRL, which currently processes 3 million tonnes of crude oil, highlighted the project’s significance against the backdrop of the refinery’s expansion. The refinery’s hydrogen demand is projected to rise from 148 KTPA to 238 KTPA, necessitating the adoption of green hydrogen to meet this surge efficiently.
Despite not signing any new Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) during the India Energy Week (IEW), NRL has recently partnered with NTPC for the construction of a second bio-refinery in Bongaigaon. This collaboration stems from NRL’s successful venture into converting bamboo into ethanol at its Numaligarh bio-refinery, marking a first of its kind in the world.
“The project, which converts bamboo into ethanol, is expected to produce around 50,000 metric tonnes of ethanol annually, utilizing approximately 300,000 metric tonnes of bamboo. This not only supports local bamboo growers financially but also contributes to the production of high-value products like Purple rel and green acetic acid,” Phukan elaborated.
Addressing the challenges and volatility in the global energy market, Phukan underscored NRL’s resilience and efficiency measures that have shielded it from major impacts. “Our focus on energy efficiency and operational optimization has been pivotal in navigating through the fluctuations in crude prices,” he added.
With an eye towards future expansion and the integration of green technologies, NRL is exploring funding avenues, including a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2025. “The funding will support our transition to green hydrogen, carbon capture technologies, and our expansion projects, reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable energy ecosystem,” Phukan concluded, highlighting NRL’s proactive approach in aligning with India’s green energy ambitions.
