State-owned Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has invited Expression of Interest to set up green hydrogen generation units at two of its refineries – Mathura, Uttar Pradesh and Panipat, Haryana in India. The plants will have installed capacities of 5,000 MT per annum and 2,000 MT per annum, respectively, and will be built on a ‘build-own-operate’ (BOO) basis.
In these projects, green hydrogen will be produced on a continuous basis (24/7) utilising renewable energy power and the water electrolysis process. Further, this green hydrogen will be used in secondary processing units, by combining into the existing grey hydrogen network for captive use.
While the project operator will have the option to sell by-products like oxygen on a merchant sale basis, IOCL will have the right to use the by-product first. IOCL will supply land for the green hydrogen plant’s construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance. The bid is open for experienced Indian and international operators.
In September 2021, IOCL floated a tender in two categories to empanel vendors to develop solar projects at its locations and retail outlets across India. The tender specifies projects under two categories; under Category-I, individual solar projects of capacities up to 50 kW based in specific regions will be developed. Under Category-II, individual solar project capacity of above 50 kW and up to 500 kW will be developed across India.
REGlobal’s Views: Oil and gas majors have infrastructure and pipelines that can be put to use to transport green hydrogen with a few modifications. Thus, it is only logical for such companies to be the early movers in this space.
