Some of India's largest companies teaming up for massive $12bn green hydrogen hub in Gujarat

Reliance Industries is spearheading a significant endeavor in Gujarat, India, involving the establishment of hydrogen (H2) and ammonia plants. The conglomerate, along with three other prominent Indian companies, aims to set up multiple green hydrogen and ammonia facilities at the Port of Kandla in Gujarat, with a hefty investment totaling up to a trillion rupees ($12 billion). According to recent reports, this initiative marks one of the largest investments in green hydrogen projects within India to date, signaling a significant stride towards sustainable energy solutions.

The specifics regarding the scale and breadth of these proposed installations have not been disclosed. Nevertheless, if materialized, this venture would represent a monumental achievement in Indian green energy infrastructure. Reliance, under the leadership of Mukesh Ambani, India's wealthiest individual, has joined forces with Greenko, Larsen and Toubro (L&T), and Welspun to emerge as the highest bidders in a tender issued by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA).

The initial tender invited bids for the development of 14 plots spanning 3,600 acres (1,456 hectares) at the port for green hydrogen and ammonia projects under a 30-year contract. Reliance, Greenko, and Welspun secured victories in India's inaugural national auction for green hydrogen production subsidies, entitling them to subsidies ranging from 18.9 to 30 rupees per kg of H2 produced annually.

This initiative not only represents a substantial investment in green hydrogen ventures but also potentially sets a benchmark in terms of scale. Compared to other projects, such as NTPC's 4GW undertaking in Andhra Pradesh, which occupies less than half the allocated land area in the DPA tender, this endeavor at the Port of Kandla stands out for its magnitude.