Green Hydrogen: India plans big for new-age clean fuel for energy self-reliance and business point of view as an exporter
Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 16
Ahead of 2021 UN Climate Change Conference COP-26 scheduled later this year, India is planning big on new-age “cleanest” fuel Green Hydrogen for energy self-reliance and reducing dependence on imports and from the business point of view as an exporter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday formally announced the setting up of National Hydrogen Mission, putting the zero-carbon fuel at the centre-stage of India’s energy requirements and paving way for a “gas-based” economy in coming years.
“Of every effort being made by India today the thing that is going to help India with a quantum leap in terms of climate is the field of Green Hydrogen. To achieve the goal of Green Hydrogen, I am announcing the National Hydrogen Mission today with this tricolour as a witness. We have to make India a global hub for Green Hydrogen production and export in the ‘Amrit Kaal’,” the Prime Minister said in his Independence Day speech.
While several industry majors, including state-run oil companies are turning towards adopting this cleanest form of energy, his words will also assure investors of policy support, say officials. The announcement also comes ahead of COP-26 in Glasgow, where nations will be under pressure to pledge more ambitious climate action, especially on emissions.
Energy is integral for any fast-growing economy and India has taken numerous steps, including in new-age fuels, to tackle the global problem of climate change and become self-reliant. Last year in October, Prime Minister Modi outlined a new energy map of India with seven key drivers and one of them was the development of emerging fuels, including Green Hydrogen. The Government also announced the National Hydrogen Mission in the Union Budget 2021 for making a hydrogen roadmap for the country.
The Prime Minister set a 2047 deadline for becoming self-reliant in energy. “India has to make a resolution to make India energy independent before the completion of 100 years of independence and our roadmap is very clear for the same. It should be a gas-based economy.
“There should be a network of CNG & PNG across the country. There should be a target of 20 per cent ethanol blending. India is moving ahead with a set goal. India has also made a move towards Electric Mobility,” he said
Green Hydrogen is produced by electrolysing water using electricity from renewable sources. It could supply up to 25% of the world’s energy needs by 2050 and become a 10 trillion-dollar addressable market by then, according to reports.
