Reliance Industries Signs Tech Licensing Agreement with Nel ASA for Manufacturing Electrolysers in India

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has signed a technology licensing agreement with Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a fully owned subsidiary of Nel ASA, a Norwegian company specializing in hydrogen technology. With this agreement, RIL has obtained an exclusive license to manufacture Nel's alkaline electrolysers in India for production of green hydrogen.

Mukesh Ambani promoted RIL is building a multi-GW fully integrated end-to-end new energy value chain, from photon to green molecules, paving the way for abundant and affordable access to sustainable energy. The phrase "from photon to green molecules" encapsulates RIL's ambitious project to harness solar energy (photons) and convert it into green hydrogen (green molecules) through a series of processes, as explained below:

1. Photon Capture: Utilizing solar panels to capture sunlight (photons).
2. Electricity Generation: Converting the captured solar energy into electricity.
3. Electrolysis: Using the electricity to power electrolysers, like the ones from Nel ASA, to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
4. Green Hydrogen Production: The hydrogen produced in this process is considered 'green' because it's made using renewable energy sources without emitting carbon dioxide.
5. Storage and Distribution: Storing the green hydrogen and distributing it for various uses, such as fuel for vehicles, industrial processes, or power generation.

The agreement also permits RIL to manufacture alkaline electrolysers for their own global use. Through this agreement, RIL gains access to Nel's leading technology platform for manufacturing electrolysers.

Additionally, both companies will collaborate on R&D, value engineering, and other areas to improve performance and reduce costs.

This partnership also opens up a new revenue stream for Nel ASA in a rapidly growing market. According to the agreement, Nel can procure equipment from Reliance for its own projects. Nel will continue to serve the Indian market with technology platforms that are not covered by the agreement.

This move is significant for RIL as it aligns with their ambition to build a fully integrated, end-to-end new energy value chain, contributing to the sustainable energy future with green hydrogen as a critical element. It's a strategic step towards achieving the vision set by RIL’s Chairman, Mr. Mukesh Ambani, for affordable and sustainable energy access.

Notably, Nel ASA's electrolyser technology is already in use in various parts of the world. Nel's H2Station™ technology is utilized daily in several European countries as well as in South Korea.

In California, US, Nel's technology provides hydrogen to passenger vehicles, buses, trucks, and other vehicles. Nel is involved in the commissioning of the first hydrogen- powered train in Germany as part of the H2 West Coast Consortium.

RIL aims to create a significant impact on the production of green hydrogen by building a multi-gigawatt (GW) scale operation, potentially making the company a key player in the global transition to sustainable energy sources. This initiative is part of RIL's broader strategy to become a net-zero carbon company by 2035. It's a visionary step towards a cleaner energy future and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

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