India’s GACL, NTPC REL to Produce Green Ammonia, Methanol

Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals (GACL) entered into an agreement with NTPC RE to mutually explore the opportunities for setting up India’s first commercial-scale green ammonia and green methanol project.

NTPC REL (NTPC Renewable Energy) is a subsidiary of state-run power Genco NTPC, while GACL, a Gujarat government PSU, is engaged in the production of industrial chemical products.

“NTPC REL has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GACL to realize green energy and green hydrogen objectives and the government’s efforts towards a carbon-neutral environment,” it said.

NTPC will ensure a constant supply of 100MG (megawatts) of renewable energy to the plants. The power supply will used in synthesising 75 tonnes per day (TPD) green methanol and 35 TPD green ammonia for captive use for production of various chemicals by GACL at its Vadodara and Dahej complex in Gujarat.

The methanol and ammonia output will be used by GACL at its Vadodara and Dahej complexes to produce various downstream chemicals, the statement said.

This development comes in the backdrop of NTPC announcing its green hydrogen initiatives and plans to build the country’s first pilot projects for synthesising green methanol, setting up green hydrogen filling stations, green hydrogen blending into PNG and green energy storage projects, it added.

GACL is one of the largest producers of Caustic Soda in India, with a production capacity of over 1,400 TPD at their two complexes at Dahej and Vadodara. GACL also has its subsidiary company GACL-NALCO Alkalies and Chemicals (GNAL), which is setting up an 800 TPD Caustic Soda Plant together with a 130 MW Thermal Power Plant (coal based) at Dahej.

The project timelines and financial estimates have not been disclosed.