New Delhi: In a bid to decarbonize the steel industry, the Indian government has sanctioned three pilot projects for the use of hydrogen in steel production. This initiative is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crore, a PIB release stated.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved three pilot projects to demonstrate the technical and economic viability of using green hydrogen in different steelmaking processes. One of the projects, led by Matrix Gas and Renewables Ltd., in collaboration with Gensol Engineering Ltd., the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, and Metsol AB (Sweden), will set up a 50-ton-per-day pilot plant to produce direct reduced iron (DRI) using 100% hydrogen.
Simplex Castings Ltd., in partnership with BSBK Pvt. Ltd., Ten Eight Investment, and IIT Bhilai, will operate a 40-ton-per-day pilot plant to inject hydrogen into a blast furnace to reduce coal and coke consumption.
Steel Authority of India Ltd (Ranchi) (SAIL) will implement a 3,200-ton-per-day project at its Ranchi plant to use hydrogen in a vertical shaft-based DRI-making unit.
The government will provide a total of Rs. 347 crore in financial support for these projects. They are expected to be commissioned over the next three years. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to position India as a leader in green hydrogen technology.