Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) unveiled India’s first indigenous alkaline electrolyzer at the India Energy Week (IEW) 2024 in Goa. The electrolyzer has been developed collaboratively by BPCL and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the operation of the alkaline electrolyzer at IEW 2024.

In alkaline water electrolysis, hydrogen is produced from alkaline water via electrolysis.

Alkaline water electrolysis, the process through which hydrogen is produced, offers a good platform for green hydrogen production at industrial scale. The technology demonstrates high cell efficiency and robustness in an alkaline environment, and is the first such prototype for industrial scale application developed in Indi.

In line with India's target to produce 5 MT of green hydrogen by 2030, BPCL is strategically developing a Green Hydrogen Plant at Bina Refinery. Additionally, a megawatt scale Integrated Hydrogen Refuelling Station is being established at Kochi airport, & pilot scale projects for blending of green hydrogen in the CGD network are being pursued. 

In August 2023, BPCL and BARC joined hands to accelerate India’s green hydrogen capabilitiesby signing a MoU to develop ecosystem to manufacture electrolyser technology in India.

The partnership, stemming from a MoA signed in Dec 2021, for systems up to 50 kW, had yielded a successful prototype unit. The achievement propels BPCL and BARC towards developing cost-effective, megawatt scale electrolyser solutions, fostering self-reliance in sustainable energy production.