Daily Current Affairs

India took a major step towards clean energy transition with Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL) commissioning the country’s first off-grid green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch district of Gujarat.

Key Features of the Plant:

• Capacity: 5 MW
• Type: Completely off-grid (not connected to conventional power grid)
• Energy Source: Solar photovoltaic power + Integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
• Output: Green hydrogen produced through electrolysis of water using renewable energy
• Emissions: Zero carbon emissions

Why is “Off-Grid” Significant?

• Eliminates dependence on coal-based electricity
• Ensures true green hydrogen (no indirect emissions)
• Enables deployment in remote, energy-rich regions
• Reduces transmission losses and grid pressure

Strategic Importance – National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM):

• Make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export
• Produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030
• Cut carbon emissions by 50 million tonnes per year

Potential Applications: Fertiliser industry, oil refineries, steel manufacturing, heavy transport, and energy storage.

India continued evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu, bringing back over 2,295 Indian nationals and foreign citizens from Iran, amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

About Operation Sindhu:

• Launched by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
• Coordinated through the Indian Embassy in Tehran
• Provided emergency assistance, safe transport, and repatriation
• Extended humanitarian support to Nepalese and Sri Lankan citizens

Significance:

• Reflects India’s commitment to citizen safety abroad
• Enhances trust in India’s diplomatic crisis management
• Strengthens regional humanitarian cooperation