Andhra Pradesh is set to lead the way for the green hydrogen revolution in the country. It has a coastline of about 974 km, key ports like Krishnapatnam and Kakinada, as well as water resources of rivers like Godavari and Krishna.
These are becoming favorable for AP to grow as a green energy hub. Already, investments worth more than Rs. 2.50 lakh crore have come in the form of various projects in Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada and Tirupati.
Experts are of the opinion that if these are fully implemented, they will change the state’s economy. Hydrogen is produced by separating the hydrogen and oxygen elements in water (H₂O). Wind and solar power are also used for this process. If it is separated in electrolyzers using solar and wind power, production can be done without carbon emissions. In this way, hydrogen and oxygen are separated. This is green hydrogen.
It can be used in the electricity, transportation, agriculture, steel and cement sectors. Since all these are sectors that emit large amounts of carbon, green hydrogen will be a good alternative. On the other hand, when hydrogen is separated, its percentage increases due to the addition of oxygen to the atmosphere. This will create an opportunity for the ozone layer to grow and prevent global warming.
In Pudimadaka of Visakhapatnam district, the NTPC is building a huge green hydrogen hub with an investment of Rs. 1.85 lakh crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid its foundation stone last November. At Krishnapatnam, Nellore district, the UK-based Yamna is setting up a green ammonia production unit with an investment of Rs. 16,000 crore.
In Kakinada, the AM Green Ammonia India is building a 2 GW electrolyzer project with a capacity of one million tonnes per annum (MTPA) along with a 12,000 crore rupees investment.
A Polish company, HiInfra, has signed an agreement to set up a 150 kt hydrogen and 600 kt green ammonia unit with an investment of Rs 35,000 crores. This will provide employment to 10,000 people.
Although hydrogen is easy to produce, the cost of electrolyzers is high. Due to the use of rare metals like platinum and titanium, it costs up to Rs 400 per kg. Governments are encouraging large investments with the aim of reducing this to Rs 150-200. Similarly, storing and transporting hydrogen is very difficult. High safety standards are required.
