By - King Stubb & Kasiva on September 25, 2023
Green hydrogen is emerging as a critical player in the battle against climate change and the development of a sustainable energy future. With its National Green Hydrogen Mission, India is at the forefront of this global transition, aiming to revolutionise the country’s energy landscape. The Strategic Intervention for Green Hydrogen Transition (“SIGHT”) programme is at the heart of this mission, and it is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s journey towards energy self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility.
In this day and age of increased environmental awareness, the world is shifting towards renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. However, due to their intermittent nature and inability to meet the demands of heavy industries, these sources have limitations. To address this, hydrogen has emerged as a versatile and environmentally friendly energy carrier. Green hydrogen, produced by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity, provides a solution to bridge the gap.
India, with its growing population and energy needs, can greatly benefit from green hydrogen. It not only promises to meet high energy demands, but it also promises to do so while reducing carbon emissions, which aligns with India’s goals of economic growth and environmental stewardship. Green hydrogen can also help India achieve energy self-sufficiency by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. The National Green Hydrogen Mission of India, as well as the SIGHT program, are critical in shaping the country’s sustainable energy future. These initiatives will assist India in maximizing its renewable energy potential while also promoting economic growth and environmental stewardship.
India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission on August 15, 2021, as a step towards a greener energy future. With a budget of approximately 19,744 crores, this mission has the potential to reshape the nation’s energy landscape.
The Mission is guided by several key objectives at its core. For starters, it aims to reduce India’s reliance on fossil fuels, a step that aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change and facilitate the transition to cleaner energy sources. Furthermore, the mission places a strong emphasis on job creation, with the potential to create approximately six lakh jobs—a boon for India’s burgeoning workforce. Furthermore, it intends to attract substantial investments, with projections indicating investments totalling eight lakh crore rupees. This infusion of capital is expected to energize India’s green energy sector, propelling economic growth and technological advancements. Its role in significantly reducing carbon emissions and limiting fossil fuel imports is perhaps its most compelling feature.
The SIGHT program is a key component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. This program has been meticulously designed to accelerate India’s green hydrogen ecosystem and help the country achieve energy self-sufficiency and environmental responsibility.
SIGHT is distinguished by a well-defined structure that includes clear objectives and substantial financial allocations. With an investment of Rs 17,490 crores, it demonstrates the government’s unwavering commitment to promoting domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and green hydrogen production. This financial commitment emphasises SIGHT’s critical role in shaping India’s green energy future. The support for domestic manufacturing, particularly in the realms of electrolysers and green hydrogen production, is central to SIGHT’s goals. SIGHT aims to accelerate the growth of these critical components of the green energy ecosystem by providing incentives and guidance.
The government has issued comprehensive guidelines for incentive schemes related to electrolysers and green hydrogen production to ensure transparency and accountability. These guidelines provide a clear roadmap for stakeholders and lay the groundwork for the planned growth of India’s green hydrogen sector.
The SIGHT programme has the potential to transform our future sustainability. It is expected to promote a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) by 2030. This large capacity could save nearly 50 MMT of CO2 emissions per year, representing a significant climate change victory. The green hydrogen industry is facing challenges. Green hydrogen production costs about 320 per kilogramme and generates approximately 33 kWh of energy per kilogramme. Storage and transportation are difficult due to the low density of hydrogen gas, high-pressure tanks, and extremely low temperatures for liquid hydrogen transport.
There are numerous options available. To overcome these challenges, stable government policies, subsidies, and strategic investments are required. An innovative approach that includes research and development will result in lower production costs as well as improved storage and transportation. India’s ambitions for green hydrogen are global.
India will be critical to the green energy market as a global leader in green hydrogen production. Its commitment to clean energy supports global goals and promotes sustainable development. International collaboration will help India’s green hydrogen journey. India can accelerate its green hydrogen goals by collaborating with leaders in green technology and renewable energy. India’s commitment to clean energy transition aligns with international goals and contributes to the fight against climate change.
Finally, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which is supported by the ‘Strategic Intervention for Green Hydrogen Transition’ (SIGHT) programme, provides hope for a more sustainable energy future. It has the potential to reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, attract investment, and stimulate economic growth. The world is watching with bated breath as India boldly moves towards a green hydrogen-powered future. These initiatives are important both in India and around the world.
In India, the National Green Hydrogen Mission was established to help the country transition to cleaner energy sources. Its goals include reducing reliance on fossil fuels, creating jobs, attracting investment, and significantly lowering carbon emissions. It has the potential to reshape India’s energy landscape, with a budget of approximately 19,744 crores.
Green hydrogen, created by electrolysis of water with renewable electricity, provides a solution for meeting India’s high energy demands while lowering carbon emissions. It is consistent with India’s SIGHT and National Green Hydrogen Mission goals of economic growth, environmental stewardship, and energy self-sufficiency.
The green hydrogen industry is facing costs, storage, and transportation challenges. To overcome these challenges, stable government policies, subsidies, strategic investments, and R&D are required. Collaboration with global leaders in green technology and renewable energy can help India achieve its green hydrogen goals while also promoting sustainable development and mitigating climate change.
King Stubb & Kasiva,
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