National Green Hydrogen Mission

National Green Hydrogen Mission

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission is a significant step towards achieving energy independence and net-zero emissions by 2070. The mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on January 4, 2022, and aims to make India a leading producer and supplier of green hydrogen in the world.

Objectives

The mission has several key objectives :

Making India a leading producer and supplier of green hydrogen in the world.

Creating export opportunities for green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock.

Developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities.

Attracting investment and business opportunities for the industry.

Creating opportunities for employment and economic development.

Supporting R&D projects.

Outcomes

The mission outcomes projected by 2030 are :

Development of green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 Million Metric Tonne (MMT) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country.

Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total investments.

Creation of over six lakh jobs.

Cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports over Rs. One lakh crore.

Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Types of Hydrogen

Depending on the nature of the method of its extraction, hydrogen is categorized into three categories, namely, Grey, Blue, and Green.

Grey Hydrogen: It is produced via coal or lignite gasification or via a process called steam methane reformation (SMR) of natural gas or methane. These tend to be mostly carbon-intensive processes.

Blue Hydrogen: It is produced via natural gas or coal gasification combined with carbon capture storage (CCS) or carbon capture use (CCU) technologies to reduce carbon emissions.

Green Hydrogen: It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. The carbon intensity ultimately depends on the carbon neutrality of the source of electricity.

In conclusion, the National Green Hydrogen Mission is a significant step towards achieving a sustainable future for India. With its focus on green hydrogen production, it aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, create employment opportunities, and contribute to economic development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.