Kochi Set To Commission South India’s First Hydrogen Station

08 Oct 2025 CW Team

The project is being implemented by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in collaboration with CIAL, featuring a 1,000-kilowatt facility at Nedumbassery. BPCL has also finalised plans for a second hydrogen refuelling station in Thiruvananthapuram in partnership with ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology).

According to a senior BPCL official,“Green hydrogen holds the potential to revolutionise aviation and urban mobility. The refuelling station at Nedumbassery is ready for commissioning and will initially produce 80 kilograms of green hydrogen per day. The fuel will cater to hydrogen-powered vessels and e-feeder buses to be introduced by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).”

The Kochi Water Metro, which currently operates electric-hybrid ferries built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, plans to transition to zero-emission hydrogen vessels. “The shift to hydrogen fuel is under active discussion with Cochin Shipyard. While we initially held back due to high costs and sourcing challenges, the situation has changed thanks to ANERT’s subsidy support,” a KMRL source said.

When the proposal was first made two years ago, the cost of green hydrogen was around Rs 960 per kilogram, but industry reports suggest this has now fallen by more than half, making the technology more commercially viable.

The Water Metro has also begun a pre-feasibility study to explore hydrogen-ferry services connecting Kochi airport from Aluva, via Periyar River and nearby canals such as Changal Thodu. The hydrogen-fuelled vessels for this route would be refuelled directly at the BPCL–CIAL station.

In addition, CIAL plans to deploy hydrogen-powered buses under a three-year Proof of Concept (PoC) project in partnership with EKA Mobility, KPIT Technologies, and BPCL. The 9-metre-long buses, designed by EKA Mobility, can carry over 30 passengers and will be used for airport operations and short-distance commutes. If successful, the fleet will be expanded.

BPCL is also working with BluJ Aerospace on developing a hydrogen-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft ecosystem, aimed at promoting zero-emission urban and regional air mobility. The collaboration will include research into indigenous hydrogen fuel cells.

Both hydrogen refuelling stations in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram will play a key role in advancing Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley Programme, serving as research and pilot hubs for hydrogen-based mobility solutions.

Once operational, these facilities will accelerate commercial hydrogen adoption, create opportunities for hydrogen-powered transport, and position Kerala as a national leader in clean mobility and sustainable innovation.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

Kerala is gearing up to embrace the fuel of the future — green hydrogen, with South India’s first green hydrogen plant and refuelling station nearing commissioning on the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) premises. The project marks a major milestone in India’s clean energy transition and could soon power the Kochi Water Metro and selected e-feeder services of the Kochi Metro.The project is being implemented by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) in collaboration with CIAL, featuring a 1,000-kilowatt facility at Nedumbassery. BPCL has also finalised plans for a second hydrogen refuelling station in Thiruvananthapuram in partnership with ANERT (Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology).According to a senior BPCL official,“Green hydrogen holds the potential to revolutionise aviation and urban mobility. The refuelling station at Nedumbassery is ready for commissioning and will initially produce 80 kilograms of green hydrogen per day. The fuel will cater to hydrogen-powered vessels and e-feeder buses to be introduced by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL).”The Kochi Water Metro, which currently operates electric-hybrid ferries built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, plans to transition to zero-emission hydrogen vessels. “The shift to hydrogen fuel is under active discussion with Cochin Shipyard. While we initially held back due to high costs and sourcing challenges, the situation has changed thanks to ANERT’s subsidy support,” a KMRL source said.When the proposal was first made two years ago, the cost of green hydrogen was around Rs 960 per kilogram, but industry reports suggest this has now fallen by more than half, making the technology more commercially viable.The Water Metro has also begun a pre-feasibility study to explore hydrogen-ferry services connecting Kochi airport from Aluva, via Periyar River and nearby canals such as Changal Thodu. The hydrogen-fuelled vessels for this route would be refuelled directly at the BPCL–CIAL station.In addition, CIAL plans to deploy hydrogen-powered buses under a three-year Proof of Concept (PoC) project in partnership with EKA Mobility, KPIT Technologies, and BPCL. The 9-metre-long buses, designed by EKA Mobility, can carry over 30 passengers and will be used for airport operations and short-distance commutes. If successful, the fleet will be expanded.BPCL is also working with BluJ Aerospace on developing a hydrogen-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft ecosystem, aimed at promoting zero-emission urban and regional air mobility. The collaboration will include research into indigenous hydrogen fuel cells.Both hydrogen refuelling stations in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram will play a key role in advancing Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley Programme, serving as research and pilot hubs for hydrogen-based mobility solutions.Once operational, these facilities will accelerate commercial hydrogen adoption, create opportunities for hydrogen-powered transport, and position Kerala as a national leader in clean mobility and sustainable innovation.

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

Pecan Realty Completes Rs 1.5 Billion Transactions

Pecan Realty has recently completed four institutional transactions worth over Rs 1.5 billion over the past two years, strengthening its position as an execution-led real estate platform. The deals include resolution-led acquisitions, structured finance transactions and capital partnerships across its development portfolio.The transactions covered acquisitions through the National Company Law Tribunal process and helped provide repayment or exits to both private and public sector lenders. The company said the deals demonstrate its ability to resolve complex project situations, work with instit..

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

SNN Estates Expands North Bengaluru Housing Project

SNN Estates has announced an expansion of its SNN Estates Felicity residential project in North Bengaluru following strong buyer demand, with 75 per cent of the first-phase inventory sold within three days of launch.The developer will add 76 apartments in the new phase, taking the project's estimated revenue potential to around Rs 1,000 crore upon completion of Phase 2.Spread across 6.5 acres in Rachenahalli, near Manyata Tech Park, the project comprises 604 apartments in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK configurations. The development includes a 50,000-sq-ft clubhouse with amenities such as sports co..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

SCG Drives ASEAN Industrial Transformation Strategy

SCG is strengthening its focus on ASEAN as a key growth region by advancing industrial transformation, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCG, highlighted the need for industries to continuously develop capabilities, strengthen resilience and deepen regional cooperation to achieve sustainable long-term growth.SCG views ASEAN as an important growth engine alongside China, supported by favourable demographics, trade connectivity and investment flows. With ASEAN’s GDP projected to grow by around 4.7..