Bengaluru is set to become a key player in India’s green hydrogen mission with the establishment of a pilot hydrogen energy plant on the outskirts of the city. Alliance University has announced plans to set up the facility in Hakki Pikki Colony (HPC), located near Bannerghatta National Park (BNP). The project is designed as a first step towards creating a hydrogen valley in the region, in line with India’s national target of producing 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

Dr Mukul Saxena, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Public Policy, Sustainability and ESG Research at Alliance University, confirmed that a proposal for the ₹25 crore pilot project has been submitted to the Union and State governments for approval. The project will also require clearance from the Karnataka forest department, given its proximity to Bannerghatta.

If successful, the pilot will lay the foundation for a full-scale hydrogen valley project near Bengaluru, similar to initiatives already underway in Pune, Kochi, and Amaravati. These hydrogen valleys are being developed to demonstrate large-scale generation, storage, and distribution of hydrogen energy across multiple applications, including transportation, power, and industry.

Under the proposed pilot, the plant will produce hydrogen using electrolysis, a process that splits hydrogen from water molecules. “During the first 18 months, research will focus on breaking down hydrogen molecules from available lake and rainwater. Around 20–30 litres of water will be required to produce one kilogram of hydrogen,” Saxena explained. Solar energy will be used to power the electrolysis, ensuring that the hydrogen produced is entirely green.

The plant is also designed to maximise the use of by-products from the electrolysis process. The oxygen extracted will be supplied to healthcare units, while ammonia generated will find application in the fertiliser industry. This integrated approach highlights the potential of green hydrogen to contribute to multiple sectors simultaneously.

Alliance University has been associated with the Hakki Pikki Colony for eight years under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. The new project will further strengthen this connection by directly supplying clean hydrogen energy to the colony on a pilot basis, helping the community transition towards sustainable energy use.

The pilot announcement coincided with a two-day national workshop on Hydrogen Fuel Technologies and Future Trends, jointly organised by Alliance University and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Speaking at the event, Yogesh Kumar, Professor at the School of Science, Alliance University, noted that Bengaluru is an ideal location for a hydrogen valley, given the city’s rich talent pool and thriving innovation ecosystem.

Source:

https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2025/Sep/19/hydrogen-power-plant-to-be-set-up-on-bengaluru-outskirts