Dastur Energy to partner with Coal India in setting up blue hydrogen plant

Dastur Energy, a division of consultancy major M N Dastur, has given a presentation to the ministry of coal for setting up a blue hydrogen plant with Coal India (CIL). Sources said that the plan is to set up a commercial scale demonstration plant in the east.

According to the coal ministry, the presentation was given to the expert committee of hydrogen. M N Dastur has an agreement with Gas Technology Institute (GTR) of the US, which has the coal-to-hydrogen technology called blue hydrogen. Dastur is also in talks with JSPL and Dalmia Cement Bharat for coal gasification, methanol derivatives and carbon dioxide to methanol projects.

Generally, one kilogram of hydrogen costs Rs. 400 while generating the gas from coal would take Rs. 110 per kg. Mukherjee pointed out that coal gasification is the cheapest option of green energy in India.

In normal time, gas in India would be not less than $12 a kg, which used to be just $3 in the US. Now, though gas is selling at a higher price internationally following the Ukraine crisis.