Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla addressed the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 15, 2024, highlighting India's strategic vision and capabilities in the domain of renewable energy and green hydrogen production.

The Secretary underscored the comprehensive nature of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, comprising components such as 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."

The New & Renewable Energy Secretary reiterated India's position as a global leader in renewable energy affordability, emphasizing 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." The Secretary highlighted India's integrated grid infrastructure as a key enabler for the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the national energy mix. He told the Summit audience that this integrated grid not only enhances grid stability and reliability but also enables the strategic placement of renewable energy plants, optimizing efficiency and minimizing the need for long-distance transportation and storage of hydrogen.

India's abundant pool of skilled engineers serves as a cornerstone for the successful implementation of renewable energy and green hydrogen projects, said the Secretary. "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."

The Secretary highlighted India's ambition to emerge as a leading exporter of green hydrogen. Asserting India's clear vision and commitment to sustainable energy practices, he underscored the nation's 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."

The Secretary assured the World Hydrogen Summit delegates of India's capability to meet any scale of production demand for green hydrogen, provided there is sufficient market demand and support. This confidence stems from India's robust renewable energy deployment strategy, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Highlighting the rapid scale-up of renewable energy infrastructure in the country, the Secretary informed the audience that approximately 43% of India's current installed electricity capacity is from non-fossil-fuel sources, with projections indicating a rise to 50% by 2030.

The Secretary's keynote address showcased India's leadership, ambition, and capabilities in the domain of renewable energy and green hydrogen production. He pointed out that with a strong emphasis 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. He said that 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.

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 of a total of 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.

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PIB DELHI | Kripa Shankar Yadav / Dheep Joy Mampilly