Shri Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, delivered a keynote address at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024. He emphasized India’s strategic vision and capabilities in renewable energy and green hydrogen production.
The Secretary highlighted the comprehensive approach of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which includes 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,” said Bhalla. He emphasized that the focus on piloting projects and advancing R&D demonstrates India’s dedication to nurturing a vibrant ecosystem for green hydrogen technologies, fostering cutting-edge solutions and best practices.
Bhalla reiterated India’s position as a global leader in renewable energy affordability, noting the nation’s competitive pricing. “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,” he stated. He also highlighted India’s integrated grid infrastructure as a crucial enabler for the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the national energy mix. This integrated grid enhances stability and reliability while optimizing efficiency and minimizing the need for long-distance transportation and storage of hydrogen.
India’s abundant pool of skilled engineers was cited 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,” Bhalla noted. He added that the availability of skilled personnel at a reasonable cost further enhances India’s competitiveness in the global market for green hydrogen production.
The Secretary expressed India’s ambition to become a leading exporter of green hydrogen, underscoring 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,” he asserted. Bhalla assured the 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). Bhalla highlighted the rapid scale-up of renewable energy infrastructure in the country, informing the audience that approximately 43% of India’s current installed electricity capacity comes from non-fossil-fuel sources, with projections indicating a rise to 50% by 2030.
In his address, Bhalla showcased India’s leadership, ambition, and capabilities in renewable energy and green hydrogen production. He emphasized that with a strong focus on affordability, infrastructure development, skilled personnel, and scalability, India is poised to emerge as a key player in the global hydrogen economy and advance sustainable energy solutions worldwide. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, Bhalla said, 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 aimed at fostering green hydrogen technologies in India. With a target of establishing 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, the mission is a significant step towards realizing India’s hydrogen economy ambitions. The government has made substantial progress, awarding tenders for incentives supporting 412,000 tonnes of green hydrogen production per annum and establishing electrolyser manufacturing capacity of 1,500 MW per annum.
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