Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Draws Plan to Actualize the Green Hydrogen Mission

As per the latest statement revealed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), a blueprint or draft towards the National Hydrogen Mission is likely to be finalized within February 2021. The document would contain details about all the aspects starting from the required technology, pilot projects to storage related facilities related to Hydrogen Fuel in the country. Post the completion, the document will be further passed on for inter-ministerial consultation and cabinet’s approval. The key areas of focus under the mission would include generating volumes and designing infrastructure; enhancing applicability to niche applications (such as transport, steel, fertilizer industry); Research & Development; providing desired policy support; creating a solid framework for standards and regulations for required technologies.

India is planning to construct green Hydrogen plants utilizing the power generated from green energy sources, thereby cutting on its dependence on fossil fuels. The units, apart from serving as the key feedstock source for Ammonia production will also provide fuel storage solutions on a grid-scale.

Highlighting the benefits of Hydrogen as a power source, MNRE secretary Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi stated that the idea of mainstreaming Hydrogen in the country’s energy mix is particularly useful for demanding long haul transportation, where battery storage falls short at times. Moreover, to incorporate this clean fuel to the country’s green energy sphere, the government is looking up to mandating its use in the industries such as fertilizer, steel, and petrochemicals.

While there has been growing traction for the new age fuel since the announcement of Union Budget 2021, several Indian firms are planning to foray into the business. Betting big on the green Hydrogen fuel usage in India, Acme Solar and France’ Lhyfe Labs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to analyze the scope of manufacturing and utilizing green Hydrogen (produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen) in Europe and India. Recently, India’s largest solar power producers Greenko and Adani Group have also tied up with the Italian energy infrastructure firm, Snam S.p.A. for setting up a green Hydrogen enterprise.

In alignment to its vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, the government of India is planning to incentivize those engaged in manufacturing of hydrogen and fuel cells technologies and is also inviting bids for setting up green Ammonia projects within next six months with the state-run Solar Energy Corp. of India Ltd. inviting bids for the same.

As per ChemAnalyst,” 2020 has seen more funding than ever across the globe towards transitioning to Hydrogen as a sustainable fuel, which is being viewed as the next-generation gasoline. With India’s strong kickstart to incorporating this emission-free fuel, having power generation content thrice per unit mass of petrol, several industry players are eyeing on international partnerships and favorable policy-framework this regard.”