Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has partnered with and IIT-Madras to produce green hydrogen. While the premier higher education institution would be developing electrolyzers, green hydrogen would be tested in the refinery of CPCL.
Green hydrogen would be used for captive purpose, CPCL MD Arvind Kumar said. “Several industries will be part of the initiative. Green hydrogen is the future,” he said.
Pointing out that IIT-Madras could also use the green hydrogen for testing in the mobility sector, he said the company would be offering utilities required for production. He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a conference on ‘Emerging Technologies for the Chemical Sector’ in Chennai on Wednesday.
Responding to a query on the new refinery and petrochemical complex being set up in Nagapattinam district, Kumar said approval would be sought from the board on various aspects.
“In total, we have 1,200 acres of land parcel under our possession as the district administration handed over another 612 acres of land to us. The project has already been approved by the board and we have done 7-8% of all procurement and engineering activity. We have to start the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). Now, some project costs are going up, and we will be approaching the board for its enhancement. We will also be approaching the IOCL and ministry because it is a joint venture project. I hope that all the approvals will be completed in two to three months and then we can go ahead with awarding EPC,” he said. The facility would be a boost for southern districts as it would attract polymer companies after the petrochemical complex comes up, he added.
The refinery and petrochemical complex in Nagapattinam is being established with an investment of more than INR 36,000 crore. The refinery will have a capacity of nine metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
