Rotterdam, Netherlands – On May 15, 2024, Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, addressed the World Hydrogen Summit 2024, outlining India’s strategic vision and capabilities in renewable energy and green hydrogen production.
In his keynote address, Secretary Bhalla emphasized the comprehensive scope of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, highlighting its components including pilot projects, research and development (R&D) initiatives, and skill development programs. “This holistic approach reflects the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and capacity-building across the hydrogen value chain.
Moreover, the Mission’s focus on piloting projects and advancing R&D underscores India’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for green hydrogen technologies, fostering the emergence of cutting-edge solutions and best practices,” said Bhalla.
He underscored India’s position as a global leader in renewable energy affordability, stressing the nation’s low cost of renewable energy. “With competitive pricing, India presents an attractive landscape for domestic and international investments in renewable energy projects, aligning with the nation’s commitment to transitioning towards sustainable energy sources,” Bhalla noted.
He highlighted India’s integrated grid infrastructure as a crucial enabler for the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the national energy mix. This infrastructure enhances grid stability and reliability, facilitating the strategic placement of renewable energy plants and optimizing efficiency.
The Secretary also pointed out India’s abundant pool of skilled engineers as a cornerstone for the successful implementation of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects. “With world-class expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, India offers a robust talent pool capable of executing projects with efficiency and precision. This availability of skilled personnel at a reasonable cost further enhances India’s competitiveness in the global market for green hydrogen production,” he stated.
India’s ambition to emerge as a leading exporter of green hydrogen was another key point in Bhalla’s address. He asserted India’s clear vision and commitment to sustainable energy practices and its determination to play a pivotal role in the global hydrogen economy. “With a strategic focus on scaling up production, India aims to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the international market for green hydrogen, thereby reinforcing its position as a key player in the global energy transition,” Bhalla emphasized.
The Secretary assured the World Hydrogen Summit delegates of India’s capability to meet any scale of production demand for green hydrogen, given sufficient market demand and support. This confidence is backed by India’s robust renewable energy deployment strategy, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Bhalla highlighted the rapid scale-up of renewable energy infrastructure in India, noting that approximately 43% of the country’s current installed electricity capacity comes from non-fossil-fuel sources, with projections indicating a rise to 50% by 2030.
Secretary Bhalla’s address showcased India’s leadership, ambition, and capabilities in the domain of renewable energy and green hydrogen production. He emphasized that with a strong focus on affordability, infrastructure development, skilled personnel, ambition, and scalability, India is poised to emerge as a key player in shaping the global hydrogen economy and advancing sustainable energy solutions on a global scale. “The National Green Hydrogen Mission stands as a testament to India’s commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration towards a greener and more sustainable future,” he concluded.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, aimed at fostering the development and adoption of green hydrogen technologies in India. With a target of establishing 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, the mission represents a significant step towards realizing India’s ambitions in the hydrogen economy.
The Government has made substantial progress in this regard, having awarded tenders for incentives to support green hydrogen production totaling 412,000 tonnes per annum. Additionally, tenders have been awarded for the establishment of electrolyser manufacturing capacity amounting to 1,500 MW per annum, further bolstering India’s capacity to produce green hydrogen at scale.
From News Desk