INDIA’S FIRST GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PLANT AT KALPAKKAM: PROF. R K JAIN ARJIT

INDIA’S FIRST GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION PLANT AT KALPAKKAM: PROF. R K JAIN ARJIT

1-JULY-ENG 13

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-------------------------History takes a significant turn when a nation charts a new course rather than merely adopting new technology. On June 26, 2026, Kalpakkam gifted India just such a momentous occasion. The Department of Atomic Energy challenged established paradigms in energy science by inaugurating the world’s first green hydrogen production plant based on the copper-chlorine thermochemical cycle at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). Powered by nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), this plant differs fundamentally from conventional electrolysis-based systems. Its foundation rests on indigenous technology from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and IGCAR’s expertise in fast reactors. This achievement is not merely the success of a scientific experiment; it is proof that India has acquired the capability to be a pioneer—rather than just a participant—in the global technological transformation.

The future of energy lies not merely in increased production but in superior technology. Until now, the world has relied on expensive, electricity-based electrolysis models for green hydrogen, but Kalpakkam has altered this equation. India has developed a more energy-efficient and cost-effective technology utilizing the copper-chlorine thermochemical cycle at a relatively low temperature of approximately 500–550°C. This temperature is significantly lower than that required for other thermochemical cycles (such as sulfur-iodine), making it highly compatible with nuclear reactors. In this process, nuclear heat derived from the FBTR splits water into hydrogen and oxygen—all without any carbon emissions. Established under the leadership of Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, this pilot plant redefines the role of nuclear energy. Nuclear reactors will no longer be limited to electricity generation; they will also serve as sources for the cleanest fuel of the future. It is this vision that places India at the forefront of global energy research. Kalpakkam’s greatest achievement is not merely its technology, but its indigenous identity. The Copper-Chlorine process was developed by BARC and operationalized by IGCAR. India’s only active Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) has now become a source of green hydrogen in addition to electricity. This has lent new relevance and broader dimensions to India’s three-stage nuclear power program. For a long time, the world viewed India merely as a consumer of nuclear technology, but Kalpakkam has altered this perception. India has demonstrated that it can be a creator of global innovation, not just an importer of technology. This is the true meaning of scientific self-reliance—forging solutions within one's own laboratories and showing the world a new path.

The true test of green energy lies not only in its cleanliness but also in its round-the-clock availability. While solar and wind energy are boons for the environment, their greatest limitation is their dependence on weather conditions. Nuclear energy is free from this constraint. Consequently, this technology from Kalpakkam has the potential to supply carbon-free green hydrogen 24/7, all year round. The greatest benefits will accrue to sectors such as steel, fertilizers, chemicals, and heavy transport—areas where reducing carbon emissions has historically been a formidable challenge. This technology could prove decisive in the decarbonization of these sectors. Furthermore, it will provide a robust scientific foundation for the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Only clean, affordable, and continuous energy can provide a sustainable basis for a green economy. For more information, you may visit the Department of Atomic Energy’s website at dae.gov.in.

Making history is difficult, but transforming it into lasting change is an even greater challenge. Although this Kalpakkam plant is currently at the pilot stage, the experience and data derived from it will serve as the cornerstone for future commercial plants. It functions as a technology demonstrator with a limited hourly output (approximately 150 normal liters of hydrogen per hour); the insights gained here will lay the foundation for large-scale commercial plants (capable of producing 3,000 normal liters per hour or more). Challenges such as expanding production capacity, ensuring the safe handling of chlorine, adhering to international safety standards, and securing adequate investment still remain. Yet, from space exploration to nuclear science, India’s scientists have repeatedly demonstrated that limited resources cannot hinder their progress. It is, therefore, entirely justified to believe that this initiative at Kalpakkam will lay the foundation for a new revolution in the global energy industry in the years to come.

This achievement at Kalpakkam is not merely a scientific success; it is a cornerstone of India’s strategic future. Large-scale green hydrogen production will strengthen the nation's energy security, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, and result in significant foreign exchange savings. It will also enhance India's global influence in combating climate change. In the coming years, India could emerge as a leading exporter of green hydrogen. This achievement simultaneously bolsters three national goals: energy security, climate justice, and economic self-reliance. Furthermore, it will accelerate the pace toward achieving net-zero targets and reinforce the conviction among young scientists that world-class innovation can indeed originate in Indian laboratories.

The honor of making history has been earned; what remains is to transform it into a force for the future. Visionary policies, active private sector participation, continuous research, and long-term investment will be decisive in this endeavor. If the foundations remain strong, India could establish global leadership in the green hydrogen sector by 2030. This plant at Kalpakkam is not merely a technical achievement; it is a symbol of a new India that relies on indigenous talent and possesses the courage to steer the world in a new direction. This milestone links the second stage (Fast Breeder) of India’s three-stage nuclear program with high-value applications such as hydrogen production. The energy revolution has begun; it is now up to India whether to limit this achievement to a mere experiment or to transform it into a defining global identity for the coming century.