TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: The Indian government’s release of guidelines for pilot projects utilizing green hydrogen in the transport sector marks a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.
EXPLANATION:
- This initiative, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, underscores a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering innovation in the transportation industry.
- The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued guidelines for conducting pilot projects aimed at utilizing green hydrogen in transportation.
- These projects, supported by a total budgetary outlay of INR 496 crores until the financial year 2025-26, seek to establish a robust green hydrogen ecosystem in the transport sector.
Objectives of the Initiative
- Exploring Sustainable Alternatives:
- The initiative aims to explore cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels by promoting the use of green hydrogen in vehicles.
- Carbon Emission Reduction:
- By replacing conventional fuels with green hydrogen and its derivatives, the initiative seeks to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector, contributing to India’s climate goals.
- Technology Development:
- The pilot projects will focus on developing technologies for utilizing green hydrogen as a fuel in buses, trucks, and 4-wheelers, employing both fuel cell-based and internal combustion engine-based propulsion technologies.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Emphasis will be placed on infrastructure development, including the establishment of hydrogen refueling stations, to support the widespread adoption of green hydrogen-powered vehicles.
- Innovation Support:
- The initiative will support innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions, such as blending methanol/ethanol based on green hydrogen and other synthetic fuels derived from it in automobile fuels.
Implementation Framework
- Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the MNRE will oversee the implementation of pilot projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Scheme Implementing Agencies (SIAs) nominated for this purpose.
- These projects will serve as a testing ground for green hydrogen technologies and pave the way for their commercial deployment.
Financial Outlay and Long-term Vision
- With a significant budgetary allocation of INR 496 crores until FY 2025-26, the initiative aims to catalyze the establishment of a sustainable green hydrogen ecosystem in the transport sector.
- Furthermore, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched with an outlay of INR 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30, reflects India’s long-term commitment to achieving self-reliance through clean energy.
Anticipated Impact and Future Prospects
- As the production cost of green hydrogen continues to decline, its utilization in transportation is expected to witness a significant surge.
- This initiative is poised to drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and contribute to India’s transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.
National Green Hydrogen Mission:
- It is a program to incentivise the commercial production of green hydrogen and make India a net exporter of the fuel.
- The Mission will facilitate demand creation, production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen.
- Its sub schemes are:
- Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT): It will fund the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and produce green hydrogen.
- Green Hydrogen Hubs: States and regions capable of supporting large scale production and/or utilization of hydrogen will be identified and developed as Green Hydrogen Hubs.
- Its comes under the Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- It aims at developing green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum, alongside adding renewable energy capacity of about 125 GW (gigawatt) in India by 2030.
- It aims to entail over Rs 8 lakh crore of total investments and is expected to generate six lakh jobs.
- It will also lead to a cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports by over Rs 1 lakh crore and an abatement of nearly 50 MT of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
