Sikkim, a state in the Himalayas, is embarking on a pioneering initiative to develop a green hydrogen smart city, with the invaluable collaboration of South Korean experts. The Korea Research Institute of Human Settlement and the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) are joining forces with Sikkim to create a hydrogen-powered urban centre in the state, within the Greater Gangtok area.
Sikkim, with its population of just six lakh people, possesses a remarkable hydropower potential of 8,000 mw. This unique advantage positions the state as a prime candidate for green hydrogen production.
Sikkim’s appeal for collaboration in this venture is underscored by several factors. The state has witnessed receding glaciers, shifting precipitation patterns, rising temperatures, changing ecosystems, water scarcity, agricultural challenges, increased soil erosion, landslides, loss of biodiversity, etc.
To safeguard its tourism industry, Sikkim is leveraging its hydropower resources to produce green hydrogen. The partnership with South Korea holds immense promise, as South Korea has developed advanced hydrogen production technologies but lacks the requisite renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or hydropower to ensure the environmental sustainability of hydrogen production. .
By pioneering the concept of green hydrogen smart cities, Sikkim not only prepares a blueprint for its own future urban developments but also paves the way for other hilly urban centres.
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