Greenko ZeroC (GZC), a subsidiary of Greenko Group, Indian cleantech company, and John Cockerill, designer and manufacturer of high-capacity alkaline electrolyzers in Belgium, have signed an exclusive agreement to jointly manufacture green hydrogen electrolyzers in the Indian sub-continent. The two companies will build a hydrogen electrolyzer Gigafactory targeting capacity of two gigawatts which will substitute 8% of India LNG imports.

GZC and John Cockerill will combine their strengths to collaborate in all spheres of market development for green hydrogen electrolyzers, which convert clean energy into carbon free hydrogen. Pressurized alkaline technology provided by John Cockerill is well adapted to "large scale" hydrogen applications and, combined with Greenko’s low cost RE-RTC (round the clock) solutions, will enable the lowest Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) necessary for the implementation of a large H2 ecosystem on the Indian subcontinent. The Gigafactory will comprise the full manufacturing electrolyzer value chain, including state of the art nickel coating and will produce electrolyzers delivering H2 at 30 bars at the outlet at the highest purity level.

Greenko, which is based in Hyderabad, southern India, is already building capacity to cater to the rapidly evolving green hydrogen market globally by leveraging India’s ample and diversified base of renewables generation alongside its own long-duration storage projects to provide round the clock renewable energy, Greenko aims to deliver internationally cost-competitive green hydrogen and associated green molecules. John Cockerill is, among other technologies, developing the world’s highest capacity electrolyzers (6.5 MW commercial with envisioned engineering to go upto 20 GW) and manufacturing facilities across the globe.

This partnership will facilitate the production of the lowest cost green hydrogen by enabling delivery of electrolyzers at scale in India, within the next few years, in turn, supporting faster adoption of a green molecule-related ecosystem in the country. These developments in the H2 industry will help large local industries (such as refineries, fertilizer plants, steel), the implementation of a large-scale energy ecosystem focused on renewable energies (PV, wind, hydro) and the development of H2 mobility in India.

Mr. Anil Chalamalasetty, Greenko’s CEO & MD said: “Greenko is working towards re-industrialization solutions for a low-carbon economy. We are partnering with a world-class technology partner in John Cockerill and will jointly develop large-scale green molecule projects in India, which will accelerate the  creation of a hydrogen economy. This partnership will not only help curtail India’s energy imports; it will also facilitate a turnaround to enable energy exports. And it will strengthen India’s green hydrogen ambitions as part of a wider renewable energy program that will see India run the world’s largest energy transition program.”

Mr. Raphael Tilot, John Cockerill Renewables’ CEO, said: “The fight against climate change is part of our mission, and this partnership with Greenko will enable us to contribute to India’s sub-continent emergence as a new green energy hub. India and neighbouring countries have abundant natural resources, a large domestic market and the potential to cater to the growth of this market regionally and globally. On the human side, collaboration between Indian and Belgian team have made good progress and we are very confident on the future developments.”