BPCL’s hydrogen pivot signals a new phase for India’s refining giant
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) posted a stronger-than-expected profit in the first quarter of FY26, with net earnings of ₹61.24 billion against market estimates closer to ₹57 billion. Softer crude costs and improved marketing spreads underpinned the numbers, but management is keen to highlight a different narrative: the company’s accelerating bet on green hydrogen.
BPCL has begun pilot projects to produce hydrogen for refinery desulphurisation and has partnered with KPIT and the Kerala government on India’s first hydrogen bus corridor. “Hydrogen-powered mobility is the future of sustainable transportation,” Chairman G. Krishnakumar told reporters in Kochi, underscoring the ambition to leapfrog conventional gas.
The strategy mirrors Europe’s majors. Repsol in Spain and Italy’...