Gorakhpur— In a significant step towards India’s clean energy goals, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated Torrent Group’s Green Hydrogen Plant in Gorakhpur on Sunday. Developed jointly by Torrent Power and Torrent Gas, both part of the Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group, the plant marks the state’s first green hydrogen production facility and stands as India’s largest hydrogen-natural gas blending project in the city gas distribution (CGD) sector.
Key Features of the Project
- Annual Production Capacity:
The plant is designed to produce 72,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, according to a statement released by Torrent Group. - Hydrogen Blending with Natural Gas:
Green hydrogen produced at the facility will be blended with natural gas up to 2% concentration and fed into Torrent Gas’s existing City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in Gorakhpur. - Supply Channels:
The hydrogen-natural gas blend will be distributed through existing natural gas pipelines to:- Households (PNG)
- CNG Stations
- Industries and commercial establishments
- Households (PNG)
- Geographical Reach:
Torrent Gas holds licenses to supply CNG and PNG in Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Kushinagar districts. It currently operates:- 32 CNG stations
- Supplies to over 12,000 households
- Services 73 industrial and commercial clients
- 32 CNG stations
Why Green Hydrogen Matters
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydro power. Unlike hydrogen produced from fossil fuels (grey hydrogen), green hydrogen has no direct carbon emissions, making it a clean energy carrier.
Benefits of Hydrogen Blending:
- Reduces Carbon Emissions
- Utilizes Existing Gas Infrastructure
- Drives Early Market Demand for hydrogen
- Prepares the transport and industrial sectors for deeper decarbonization
Government’s Vision and Support
Speaking at the inauguration, CM Yogi Adityanath highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s ambitious goal to produce 1 million tonnes (10 lakh tonnes) of green hydrogen annually, supported by a dedicated state policy to attract investments in the sector.
“With this plant’s inauguration, green hydrogen becomes a part of people’s daily lives, reaching their kitchens and vehicles,” Adityanath said.
He emphasized the benefits of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households — especially for women — citing improved safety, convenience, and cost savings. He also noted that the growing use of CNG as a transport fuel is helping to reduce pollution and lower public fuel expenses.
Industry Perspective
Jinal Mehta, Director at Torrent Group, remarked that the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and signifies a milestone in India’s green energy transformation.
“This is the first step in our long-term vision to set up large-scale green hydrogen plants across the country,” Mehta stated.
“Blending hydrogen into CGD networks creates scalable pathways toward achieving India’s net-zero targets.”
National and Global Relevance
- India launched its National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023 with a goal of making the country a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export.
- Uttar Pradesh’s policy complements this national mission by creating a state-specific ecosystem for hydrogen innovation and adoption.
The commissioning of the Gorakhpur Green Hydrogen Plant marks a turning point for both Uttar Pradesh and India’s clean energy journey. It demonstrates a practical, scalable model for integrating green hydrogen into everyday energy use — from kitchens to cars — while laying the foundation for deep industrial decarbonization.
As India eyes net-zero emissions by 2070, such initiatives will be critical in reshaping the country’s energy landscape with sustainable, indigenous, and future-ready solutions.
