Kerala allocates over Rs 12,500 cr for green energy

In line with its energy transition targets, which aim at making Kerala a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen and green ammonia, the state has allocated Rs 90 crore for phase-I of the green hydrogen valley project and over Rs 12,400 crore for the green transport corridor project.

The state has set a target to become a 100 per cent green hydrogen, green ammonia consuming state by 2040.

Kerala has been one of the first movers among all the other states in making big strides in charting out a green hydrogen and green ammonia trajectory in the form of a green hydrogen policy and developing an all-round green ecosystem.

As reported by us in July this year, Kerala received proposals worth over Rs 30,000 crore from two large companies for setting up production plants of green hydrogen and green ammonia, its export, and also for domestic use. This can be seen as a result of the state’s proactive steps in developing a green hydrogen economy.

The green hydrogen valley project is yet another step in line with the state’s 2040 target. The allocated budget of Rs 90 crore is planned to be used for setting up three hydrogen valley platforms and distributed among the entire hydrogen value chain which includes production, distribution, and transportation.

It is planning to develop two green hydrogen valleys in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. The proposal has been submitted to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, for the Kochi valley and preparation of proposal is ongoing for the Vizhinjam project.

The state also aims to transform its major transport corridors – the west coast canal, coastal and hill highways – into green economic trade corridors.

Out of the total project cost of Rs 12,400 crore green transport corridor, Rs 2,400 crore will be for west coast canal project and Rs 300 crore has been earmarked for its land acquisition. For the coastal highway project the cost would be Rs 6,500 crore while the hill highway project is estimated to cost Rs 3,500 crore.

It plans to develop a network of hydrogen and electric vehicle charging infrastructure along Vizhinjam to Kochi corridor integrated with hydrogen generation and floating solar power projects.