17 May 2024 : PIB Summary for UPSC

• Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of India’s Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, highlighted India’s leadership at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024.
• He emphasised the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s role in fostering innovation and collaboration towards achieving significant green hydrogen production targets by 2030.

• Grey Hydrogen: Grey hydrogen is the most widely used type, produced from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR). While readily available and inexpensive, it generates significant carbon emissions, contributing to climate change.
• Blue Hydrogen: Similar to grey hydrogen, blue hydrogen includes carbon capture and storage (CCS), reducing emissions by up to 90%. Though cleaner, it still relies on fossil fuels and entails complex and costly CCS processes.
• Green Hydrogen: Produced via electrolysis powered by renewable sources, green hydrogen is emissions-free, making it the cleanest option. However, it’s currently more expensive and requires substantial investment in renewable energy infrastructure.
• Other Types: Turquoise hydrogen uses natural gas with captured emissions for enhanced oil recovery, while yellow hydrogen is biomass-derived, offering a low-carbon alternative. Both are in development and aim to reduce carbon footprint.

● Targets by 2030: Aim to develop green hydrogen production capacity of 5 MMT per annum, associated with renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW.

● Expected Outcomes: Over Rs. 8 lakh crore in investments, creation of over 6 lakh jobs, cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports, and abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

● Wide-Ranging Benefits: Creation of export opportunities, decarbonization of industrial and mobility sectors, reduction in fossil fuel dependence, development of indigenous manufacturing, and advancement of cutting-edge technologies.

● Strategic Interventions: Financial incentives for domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, support for pilot projects, identification and development of Green Hydrogen Hubs, and formulation of enabling policy and regulatory frameworks.

● Research and Development: Establishment of a public-private partnership for R&D, focusing on goal-oriented, time-bound projects to develop globally competitive technologies.

● Coordination: All concerned Ministries, Departments, agencies, and institutions of the Central and State Governments will undertake coordinated steps for successful implementation, with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy responsible for overall coordination.