Accelera and GAIL Join Forces to Champion Green Hydrogen in India

Powering India’s Clean Energy Future: Accelera and GAIL United for Green Hydrogen Innovation

Green hydrogen is taking center stage in India’s clean energy transition, and a new partnership aims to boost its adoption. Accelera™ by Cummins, a global pioneer in zero-emission technologies, and GAIL (India) Limited, the leading natural gas company in India, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance green hydrogen innovation. Combining Accelera’s cutting-edge hydrogen expertise with GAIL’s extensive energy infrastructure, the collaboration will explore green hydrogen production, blending, transportation, and storage solutions.

Alex Savelli, Global Commercial Leader – Electrolyzers for Accelera, put it simply, “Our collaboration with GAIL underscores the potential of green hydrogen and large-scale electrolysis for diverse applications. With GAIL’s robust infrastructure and Accelera’s advanced technology, we’re poised to fast-track India’s hydrogen economy.”

Building on Success at the Green Hydrogen Plant in Vijaipur

This partnership extends upon a crucial milestone already achieved. Back in December 2024, GAIL commissioned a green hydrogen plant in Madhya Pradesh’s Vijaipur, one of the first of its kind in India. Accelera played a key role in this project by supplying two proton exchange membrane (PEM) HyLYZER® electrolyzer units for the plant. Together, these units generate 4.3 tons of green hydrogen per day, which is being blended with natural gas for GAIL’s on-site operations.

With such foundational projects leading the charge, the groundwork is laid for scaling this technology, aligning squarely with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. This initiative aims to produce five million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030. Rajeev Kumar Singhal, Director of Business Development at GAIL, emphasized, “This partnership builds on our commitment to the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Together, we’ll create a robust hydrogen value chain to meet India’s ambitious goals.”

The Tech That Powers a Cleaner Future

At the heart of this partnership is Accelera’s advanced PEM electrolyzer technology, which enables clean hydrogen production by drawing energy from renewable sources like wind or solar power. But how does this work? Electrolyzers use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The green hydrogen produced can then replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive processes like steelmaking or fuel heavy-duty equipment like buses.

Accelera’s track record in PEM electrolysis is well-established. Globally, they’ve installed more than 600 such units, powering some of the largest hydrogen projects. Their 20 MW facility in Canada and the 25 MW system in Florida set a high standard for scalable green hydrogen solutions. But the innovation doesn’t stop there; the company is also behind bp’s massive 100 MW electrolyzer system for the Lingen green hydrogen project set to launch in Germany by 2027. This system will produce an impressive 11,000 tons of hydrogen annually.

A Vision Beyond Energy—Green Hydrogen’s Many Applications

Green hydrogen isn’t limited to powering vehicles; its versatility makes it a game-changer for industries beyond transport. For agriculture, it enables the production of green ammonia, a more sustainable fertilizer. For manufacturing, especially in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like steel and cement, green hydrogen is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Accelera’s systems also support the concept of power-to-gas—converting surplus electricity into hydrogen for long-term storage, effectively balancing the energy grid.

GAIL and Accelera’s collaboration also plans to explore hydrogen blending with natural gas, which could offer a low-impact method of reducing emissions in existing infrastructure. Additionally, a key focus will be on developing industry standards and sharing knowledge across sectors, helping to overcome adoption hurdles.

Why Partnerships Like These Matter Right Now
The stakes for green hydrogen couldn’t be higher. Globally, the shift to cleaner energy systems is urgent, not only to mitigate climate change but also to ensure energy security. India’s position as one of the world’s largest energy consumers makes it a critical player in this transition. Partnerships like the one between Accelera and GAIL act as accelerators, providing both the technology and expertise needed to scale up green hydrogen quickly.

Accelera’s participation aligns seamlessly with India’s plans. With their next-gen fuel cell engines and PEM electrolyzers tested and trusted worldwide, the potential for rapid deployment across sectors is significant. And with GAIL’s extensive reach in natural gas networks, the infrastructure to roll out clean hydrogen solutions is already partly in place.

How This Technology Impacts You and What’s Next

Now, you might be wondering—what does all this mean for the everyday person? On a broad level, deploying green hydrogen translates to lower emissions, cleaner air, and the potential for more sustainable industries in India. But on a practical level, it paves the way for energy solutions that are not only environmentally friendly but also aligned with global sustainability goals.

Think about public transport running on hydrogen fuel, reducing the pollution in urban areas. Picture industries reducing their dependency on coal and running on cleaner energy while maintaining job growth and economic stability. That’s the kind of future technology like Accelera’s helps make possible.

The timeline for widespread adoption depends on scaling projects like these partnerships. Initial deployments like GAIL’s Vijaipur plant show the technology works—and as costs come down and infrastructure grows, hydrogen will integrate further into everyday systems. By 2030, as India targets five million tons of hydrogen production, we’ll likely witness hydrogen fueling everything from buses to steelmaking plants.

The Road Ahead—Adopting Solutions for Today and Beyond

Green hydrogen holds immense promise, but to unlock its full potential, consistent effort is needed. Partnerships between global experts and local energy leaders, like Accelera and GAIL, can act as vital building blocks. For individuals, supporting policies that favor clean energy, or even choosing hydrogen-powered mobility options when they become available, is a step toward a healthier planet.