India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission Propels the Nation towards Global Leadership in Sustainable Energy

The Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power, R. K. Singh, has provided an update on the status of the adoption of green hydrogen in India, emphasizing the government’s commitment to sustainable and renewable energy sources.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is actively implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission, approved by the Union Cabinet on January 4, 2023, with a significant outlay of ₹19,744 crore. The primary goal of this mission is to position India as the global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

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As of the present, key milestones in the adoption of green hydrogen include:

1. GAIL Limited’s Groundbreaking Project: GAIL Limited has initiated India’s first project involving the blending of hydrogen in the City Gas Distribution grid. Two percent by volume of hydrogen is being blended into the CNG network, and 5 vol% of hydrogen is being blended into the PNG network at the City Gas Station of Avantika Gas Limited (AGL) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
2. NTPC Limited’s Green Hydrogen Blending: NTPC Limited has commenced blending green hydrogen up to 8% (vol/vol) in the PNG Network at NTPC Kawas Township, Surat, Gujarat, starting from January 2023.
3. Pioneering Projects by Other PSUs: Various other Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have undertaken innovative projects, including hydrogen-based Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Buses in Leh and Greater Noida by NTPC, and Oil India Limited’s development of a 60 kW capacity hydrogen fuel cell bus, which is a hybrid of an electric drive and a fuel cell. Additionally, demonstration pilot plants for green hydrogen production through different methods are being pursued by Indian Oil.
4. Future Plans for Production Facilities: Numerous entities have announced plans to establish production facilities for Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia in India, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainable energy practices.

While the adoption of green hydrogen is currently at an initial stage, demonstration projects are showcasing its potential benefits, including job creation and a reduced dependence on fossil fuels. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, with its ambitious targets, aims to significantly impact India’s energy landscape by 2030.

Expected Outcomes by 2030:

• India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is projected to reach 5 MMT per annum, contributing to a substantial reduction in fossil fuel imports.
• The achievement of Mission targets is anticipated to result in a cumulative reduction of ₹1 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel imports by 2030.
• The mission is expected to attract over ₹8 lakh crore in total investments and create over 6 lakh jobs.

Under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) scheme, the Ministry has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for the selection of Green Hydrogen producers to set up production facilities for 450,000 tons of Green Hydrogen in India.

Shri R. K. Singh emphasized that these initiatives align with India’s commitment to a sustainable and green energy future, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.