India achieved a major milestone in clean energy innovation with the commissioning of the world’s first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle, powered by nuclear process heat. The landmark facility was inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. The plant utilizes nuclear process heat generated from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), marking a significant breakthrough in integrating nuclear energy with hydrogen production.
Nuclear Energy to Drive India’s Hydrogen Economy
Dr. Mohanty highlighted the strategic importance of combining nuclear power with emerging clean energy technologies. He said that integrating nuclear energy with hydrogen production offers a sustainable pathway to meet India’s growing energy needs while supporting the country’s decarbonisation goals. Unlike intermittent renewable energy sources, nuclear power provides a continuous and carbon-free energy supply, making it well suited for large-scale hydrogen production. According to Dr. Mohanty, this approach will strengthen India’s energy security, accelerate the transition to clean fuels, and contribute to the nation’s long-term sustainable development objectives.
Facility Demonstrates Indigenous Cu-Cl Thermochemical Technology
The newly commissioned plant has been established as a technology demonstrator to validate hydrogen production using the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle, an advanced process developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods, the Cu-Cl thermochemical cycle utilizes nuclear process heat to produce hydrogen more efficiently while reducing carbon emissions. The successful demonstration is expected to pave the way for future commercial-scale deployment of nuclear-assisted hydrogen production technologies.
BARC and IGCAR Collaborate on Indigenous Innovation
The Department of Atomic Energy stated that the commissioning of the facility marks the successful culmination of years of collaborative research and engineering by BARC and IGCAR. The project involved extensive work in process development, engineering design, equipment fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning. The achievement showcases India’s growing capabilities in developing indigenous advanced energy technologies that combine nuclear science with clean fuel production.
A Significant Step Towards Net-Zero and Energy Security
The successful commissioning of the world’s first nuclear process heat-based hydrogen production facility positions India at the forefront of global hydrogen innovation. The project not only demonstrates the country’s technological leadership but also reinforces its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions, expanding the green hydrogen ecosystem, and building a resilient, low-carbon energy future. As reported by newsonair.gov.in, as India continues to invest in advanced nuclear technologies and clean hydrogen production, such innovations are expected to play a vital role in supporting industrial decarbonisation, energy independence, and sustainable economic growth.
