How India can utilize its coal and lignite mines for Green Hydrogen production

Repurposing reclaimed, and closed coal and lignite mines as green hydrogen production facilities has both potential benefits and challenges, but it is essential that careful planning and management are undertaken to ensure that adverse impacts are minimized, and the economic benefits are maximized.

India is gearing up for its green transition with the intention of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Several alternative solutions are being explored and assessed to accelerate this transformation. Among the many potential areas identified, to reduce our reliance on imported Hydrogen is to produce it domestically using carbon-emitting methane.

According to a study by the Council for Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), India consumes close to 5.6 million tonnes of hydrogen, most of it produced using methane. In addition to that, 1.9 million tonnes of hydrogen come from abroad, embedded in methanol, ammonia, and fertilisers. This all adds up to the current consumption reaching 7.5 million tonnes annually.