RIL to invest in renewables, green H2 in Gujarat

Market: Electricity, Hydrogen
13/01/22

Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries (RIL) said it has signed an initial agreement with the government of Gujarat to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen, with an aim to make the state "net zero and carbon free".

The deal envisages total investment of 5.96 trillion ($80.6bn) rupees, of which RIL proposes to spend Rs5 trillion ($67.6bn) over 10-15 years on a 100GW renewable energy power plant and a green hydrogen eco-system.

The company has begun scouting for land for the renewables power project in Kutch, Banaskantha and Dholera, in consultation with the state government. It said it has requested 450,000 acres of land in Kutch.

The firm plans to invest another Rs600bn ($8.1bn) on solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, electrolysers, energy storage batteries and fuel cells.

RIL is shifting its focus to renewables and has committed to becoming a net-zero carbon emissions firm by 2035. It has already committed to investing around $10bn to build four gigafactories — an integrated solar PV module factory, an energy storage battery plant, an electrolyser factory to produce green hydrogen and a fuel cell plant — over the next three years.

By Sathya Narayanan

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

News

17/04/25

Belgian H2 pipeline faces year delay in fruit dispute

London, 17 April (Argus) — The construction of Belgium's first hydrogen pipeline between the ports of Ghent and Antwerp could be delayed by a year, after its environmental permit was suspended, gas transport system operator Fluxys has said. The 35km pipeline linking the towns of Zelzate and Kallo — part of a "first phase" of Belgium's "open access" hydrogen pipeline network — was to be completed in 2026 following the start of construction last month . But Belgium's council for permit disputes suspended the environmental permit following appeals from fruit growers related to discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals" — into the water, Fluxys said. "Work has been halted pending a decision on the merits of the case, which could take up to a year," said Fluxys spokesperson Tim De Vil. "This clearly puts our timetable at risk." A final decision is expected next year at the earliest. De Vil said Fluxys is talking to the Flemish government and farmers' organisations to ensure the permit can still be approved. Fluxys' permit included permission to dispose of PFAS-contaminated water into surface water under "certain conditions." But the regulatory body ruled the impact on areas already exceeding the PFAS limits had been evaluated inaccurately. By Alexandra Luca Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Find out more

News

Japan’s Mitsui invests in US e-fuel producer

17/04/25

News

17/04/25

Japan’s Mitsui invests in US e-fuel producer

Tokyo, 17 April (Argus) — Japanese trading company Mitsui has invested in California-based synthetic fuel (e-fuel) producer Infinium, aiming to acquire knowledge on technology and commercialisation in the emerging sector. The investment in Infinium was conducted in March, Mitsui told Argus on 16 April, declining to disclose the specific amount. This marks Mitsui's second investment in e-fuel producers. The firm invested in California-based synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF) producer Twelve Benefit . Infinium produces green hydrogen from water by electrolysis, and converts the hydrogen and CO2 into e-fuels by using renewable energy. The firm is planning to launch its second plant, which will specialise in e-SAF production. International Airlines Group (IAG) and American Airlines have agreed to receive the e-SAF that will be produced at the plant. E-fuels can help reduce over 90pc of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with conventional fossil fuels, and are notable as "drop-in" substitutes for conventional fuels, applicable to existing engines and infrastructures, Mitsui said. Mitsui is observing the e-SAF market. SAF is a relatively promising prospect in the renewable energy sector, on the back of the target by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to achieve net-zero emissions in international aviation by 2050, as well as governmental policies bolstering the deployment of SAF, a representative of the firm told Argus . Japan plans to replace 10pc of the jet fuel consumed by domestic airlines with SAF in 2030. By Kohei Yamamoto Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Japan to develop geothermal power under net zero plan

16/04/25

News

16/04/25

Japan to develop geothermal power under net zero plan

Osaka, 16 April (Argus) — The Japanese government is gearing up to develop geothermal energy, as the clean power can help to decarbonise the power sector with stable output, unlike weather-dependent renewables such as solar and wind. The trade and industry ministry Meti on 14 April launched a public-private council to discuss the development of next-generation geothermal energy, aiming to formulate a draft guideline, including capacity and cost targets, by around October this year. The new technology could lift the country's potential geothermal capacity to at least 77GW, compared with 23.5GW based on conventional methods, according to the council. The draft plan aims to establish the next-generation geothermal technology as early as the 2030s, to expand the use of the clean energy with competitive prices toward 2040, while tacking geological challenges, such as fault and complex geology, in Japan. Should the next-generation technology, such as closed-loop and supercritical geothermal, prove practical, Japan could utilise its potential, said Meti minister Yoji Muto on 15 April. Japan could consider exporting the next-generation technology globally, as it has around 70pc global share in conventional geothermal turbines, he added. The geothermal strategy is in line with the country's new strategic energy plan (SEP) , which was published in February, as well as prime minister Shigeru Ishiba's push to develop geothermal capacity. Ishiba had focused on less-utilised and high potential geothermal, as well as micro-hydropower, during his [campaign for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2608517) last year. The SEP assumes geothermal will account for 1-2pc of Japan's power mix in the April 2040-March 2041 fiscal year, which is relatively marginal compared with other renewables such as solar at 23-29pc, wind at 4-8pc, hydroelectric at 8-10pc and biomass at 5-6pc. But even the small share would be much higher compared with its actual share of 0.3pc of total power generation in 2023-24. Diversification of renewable power sources would be necessary to achieve Japan's plan to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 60pc in 2035-36 and by 73pc in 2040-41, respectively, against the 2013-14 level, before achieving its net zero goal in 2050. Under the SEP, Tokyo aims to reduce its dependence on thermal power to 30-40pc in 2040-41 from 71pc in 2024. Japanese private firms are already involved in further developing domestic and overseas geothermal projects. Japanese utility Hokkaido Electric Power and construction firm Obayashi said on 16 April that they will study potential geothermal resources in Hokkaido during April 2025-February 2026, taking advantage of subsidies provided by state-owned energy agency Jogmec. Japanese battery maker Panasonic Energy said on 8 April that it has signed a power purchase agreement with regional utility Kyushu Electric Power's renewable arm Kyushu Mirai Energy to secure around 50GWh/yr of geothermal-based electricity from 1 April. The stable geothermal supplies, unaffected by weather, could double a renewable ratio in its domestic power consumption to around 30pc, Panasonic said. By Motoko Hasegawa Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

Dozens of US coal plants eligible for MATS extension

15/04/25

News

15/04/25

Dozens of US coal plants eligible for MATS extension

Cheyenne, 15 April (Argus) — The White House has identified more than 60 fossil fuel-fired power plants that will have two extra years to comply with the more stringent mercury and air toxics standards (MATS) finalized in 2024. Under a proclamation signed by US president Donald Trump last week, the plants on the list will be able to operate under whatever existing mercury and air toxics standards they currently are subject to until 8 July 2029. That is two years after the compliance deadline put in place in May 2024. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules finalized last year tightened mercury and air toxics standards for coal- and oil-fired units by 67pc, included new emissions-monitoring requirements and added standards for lignite-fired coal plants that put them in line with those for other coal plants. EPA in March said it was reviewing the new standards and said companies could seek exemptions to the mercury rule and other emissions rules. Trump followed that up last week with a proclamation that certain generating facilities would be given a two-year exemption in complying with the 2024 rule. The White House released the list of exempt power plants late on 14 April. Most of the plants on the list are coal-fired generators, some of which were scheduled for retirement by the end of 2027. These include Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston plant and one unit of its Cumberland plant, as well as Vistra Energy's Kincaid, Baldwin and Newton plants and two coal units of Vistra's Miami Fort plant. The two coal units at Southern Company's Victor J Daniel plant in Mississippi also have been exempted from the new mercury and air toxics rules for two years. Southern had planned on retiring those units by the end of 2027, but in February, the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved two special contracts that were expected to need unit 2 of the Daniel plant and possibly a unit of a natural gas plant to run into the 2030s. Some other coal plant units owned by Southern, TVA and Vistra also are now exempt from the July 2027 mercury and air toxics compliance deadline. So are some plant units owned by East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), NRG, Ameren and Entergy. At least two natural gas plant units — unit 5 of Southern's Plant Barry and City Utilities of Springfield's John Twitty Energy Center, which has coal and natural gas generation — are exempt from the July 2027 deadline. So is unit 5 of Entergy's RS Nelson plant, which runs on petroleum coke. Essentially all of the other units in the White House's list are coal units, including Otter Tail Power's Big Stone and Coyote Station plants in North Dakota. Otter Tail said it had requested the exemptions "to avoid making unnecessary expenditures" if EPA decides to roll back the 2024 rule. EKPC said it was "grateful" its request to exempt the Spurlock and Cooper coal-fired power plants in Kentucky was granted and that the company "will continue to operate the plants in accordance with all market and environmental rules." NRG said it was still reviewing the order, but did not expect it to have any effect on its plans. TVA, Southern, Vistra and owners of other power plants given compliance extensions did not respond to requests for comment. By Courtney Schlisserman Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

News

IMO GHG pricing not yet Paris deal-aligned: EU

14/04/25

News

14/04/25

IMO GHG pricing not yet Paris deal-aligned: EU

Brussels, 14 April (Argus) — The International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) global greenhouse gas (GHG) pricing mechanism "does not yet ensure the sector's full contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement goals", the European Commission has said. "Does it have everything for everybody? For sure, it doesn't," said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the commission's climate and energy spokesperson said. "This is often the case as an outcome from international negotiations, that not everybody gets the most optimal outcome." The IMO agreement reached last week will need to be confirmed by the organisation in October, the EU noted, even if it is a "strong foundation" and "meaningful step" towards net zero GHG emissions in global shipping by 2050. The commission will have 18 months following the IMO mechanism's formal approval to review the directive governing the bloc's emissions trading system (ETS), which currently includes maritime emissions for intra-EU voyages and those entering or leaving the bloc. By EU law, the commission will also have to report on possible "articulation or alignment" of the bloc's FuelEU Maritime regulation with the IMO, including the need to "avoid duplicating regulation of GHG emissions from maritime transport" at EU and international levels. That report should be presented, "without delay", following formal adoption of an IMO global GHG fuel standard or global GHG intensity limit. Finland's head representative at the IMO delegation talks, Anita Irmeli, told Argus that the EU's consideration of whether the approved Marpol amendments are ambitious enough won't be until "well after October". Commenting on the IMO agreement, the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) pointed to the "neutral" approach to feedstocks, including first generation biofuels. "The EBB welcomes this agreement, where all feedstocks and pathways have a role to play," EBB secretary general Xavier Noyon said. Faig Abbasov, shipping director at non-governmental organisation Transport and Environment, called for better incentives for green hydrogen. "The IMO deal creates a momentum for alternative marine fuels. But unfortunately it is the forest-destroying first generation biofuels that will get the biggest push for the next decade," he said. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more