Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for North India’s first 1 MW Green Hydrogen Plant at Dabhota in Nalagarh Tehsil of Solan district today. This pioneering project, being developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) in collaboration with Oil India Limited, is set to be established at a cost of Rs. 9.04 crore.
He directed the officials to ensure its completion within a year. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reaffirmed Himachal Pradesh’s commitment to becoming India’s first Green Energy State by March 2026.
He emphasized that the Dabhota Green Hydrogen Plant marks a major milestone in the State’s renewable energy journey. He said “This initiative is a crucial step in Himachal Pradesh’s efforts to establish itself as a leader in renewable energy and sustainability.”
To further this vision, the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil India Limited on April 26, 2023, focusing on the development of solar energy, green hydrogen, geothermal energy, and compressed biogas.
He said that following a detailed assessment, a 4,000-square-meter land parcel in Dabhota was selected for the plant. As the State’s first large-scale green hydrogen initiative, this project underscores the Government's commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
The plant will utilize power from renewable sources to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, using an alkaline potassium hydroxide solution as an electrolyte. This method significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and supports a cleaner energy ecosystem, he added.
Sh. Sukhu said that with a production capacity of 423 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, the plant will require 13 litres of water per kilogram of hydrogen, sourced from underground reserves via tube wells.
The production process will consume approximately 52.01 units of electricity per kilogram of hydrogen. Annually, the plant is expected to generate 1,54,395 kilograms of green hydrogen. He also highlighted the state government’s broader focus on green energy, including its progress toward achieving a 500 MW solar energy target.
MLAs Hardeep Singh Bawa, Ram Kumar Choudhary, Vinod Sultanpuri and Sanjay Awasthi, Vice Chairman HPSIDC Vishal Chambyal, Managing Director H.P. Power Corporation Ltd. Harikesh Meena, Director (Personnel and Finance) HP Power Corporation Ltd. Shivam Pratap Singh, CMD Indian Oil Ltd. Dr. Ranjeet Rath, Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma and SP Baddi Vinod Dhiman and other dignities were also present on the occasion.