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New & Renewable Energy Secretary addresses World Hydrogen Summit 2024, highlights India’s vision and capabilities in Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen

Context

Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of India’s Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, highlighted India’s leadership at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024.

He emphasised the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s role in fostering innovation and collaboration towards achieving significant green hydrogen production targets by 2030.

 Analysis of the news

• Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, India, addressed the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 15, 2024.
• He emphasised India’s strategic vision and capabilities in renewable energy and green hydrogen production.
• The National Green Hydrogen Mission is comprehensive, including pilot projects, R&D initiatives, and skill development programs.
• India is a global leader in renewable energy affordability, offering competitive pricing and attracting domestic and international investments.
• India’s integrated grid infrastructure enables seamless integration of renewable energy, optimizing efficiency and reducing transportation needs for hydrogen.
• India boasts a skilled engineering workforce, enhancing competitiveness in green hydrogen production.

Different types of hydrogen:

• Grey Hydrogen: Grey hydrogen is the most widely used type, produced from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR). While readily available and inexpensive, it generates significant carbon emissions, contributing to climate change.
• Blue Hydrogen: Similar to grey hydrogen, blue hydrogen includes carbon capture and storage (CCS), reducing emissions by up to 90%. Though cleaner, it still relies on fossil fuels and entails complex and costly CCS processes.
• Green Hydrogen: Produced via electrolysis powered by renewable sources, green hydrogen is emissions-free, making it the cleanest option. However, it’s currently more expensive and requires substantial investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
• Other Types: Turquoise hydrogen uses natural gas with captured emissions for enhanced oil recovery, while yellow hydrogen is biomass-derived, offering a low-carbon alternative. Both are in development and aim to reduce carbon footprint.

1. India aims to emerge as a leading exporter of green hydrogen, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy practices.
2. India is confident in meeting green hydrogen production demands, supported by its robust renewable energy deployment strategy.
3. The National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
4. Significant progress has been made, with tenders awarded for incentives and electrolyser manufacturing capacity, bolstering India’s green hydrogen production capabilities.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

• Initial Outlay: The Mission has an initial outlay of Rs. 19,744 crore, including allocations for the SIGHT program, pilot projects, R&D, and other components.
• Targets by 2030: Aim to develop green hydrogen production capacity of 5 MMT per annum, associated with renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW.
• Expected Outcomes: Over Rs. 8 lakh crore in investments, creation of over 6 lakh jobs, cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports, and abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
• Wide-Ranging Benefits: Creation of export opportunities, decarbonization of industrial and mobility sectors, reduction in fossil fuel dependence, development of indigenous manufacturing, and advancement of cutting-edge technologies.
• Strategic Interventions: Financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, support for pilot projects, identification and development of Green Hydrogen Hubs, and formulation of enabling policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Research and Development: Establishment of a public-private partnership for R&D, focusing on goal-oriented, time-bound projects to develop globally competitive technologies.
• Coordination: All concerned Ministries, Departments, agencies, and institutions of the Central and State Governments will undertake coordinated steps for successful implementation, with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy responsible for overall coordination.