The government has formally approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission. For this, an amount of Rs.19,744 crore was also released on Wednesday. Through this scheme, the government wants to make India a center for the production and export of green hydrogen and its components. This will reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels. Along with this, the government also aims to achieve zero emissions by 2070. This mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Independence Day of 2021.
What is green hydrogen?
Green hydrogen has significantly lower carbon emissions than gray hydrogen. Green hydrogen can be used to decarbonize sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as steel and cement production, and thus help limit climate change.
What will be its impact on the environment?
Green hydrogen is a carbon-free, mobile energy source that can complement electrification. Green hydrogen uses renewable energy to electrolyze water molecules, creating no emissions in the process.
How much will this change in our lives?
Green hydrogen can be used in industry and stored in existing gas pipelines to power home appliances. For example, it can transport renewable energy when converted into a carrier such as ammonia, a zero-carbon fuel for shipping.
What has the government done so far in the Green Hydrogen Mission?
On Wednesday, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The initial outlay for the mission will be Rs.19,744 crore, which includes Rs.17,490 crore for the site program, Rs.1,466 crore for pilot projects, Rs.400 crore for R&D and Rs.388 crore for other mission components. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will prepare guidelines for the scheme for implementation of the respective components.
Where is green hydrogen being used in India now?
In the recent past, concerted efforts are being made in the country to take advantage of green hydrogen in sectors like auto, petroleum refining and steel. In the proposed mission, the steel sector has been made a stakeholder. Whereas, to explore the feasibility of using green hydrogen in Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production, it has been proposed to set up a pilot plant with partial funding from the government. Kerala has set up a high-level working group to prepare a strategic roadmap, policy formulation and implementation plans for its own hydrogen economy mission, which will facilitate investment in green hydrogen and make the state a “green hydrogen hub”. is to make.
What are the goals set by the government for the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
The government plans to achieve several targets from this mission by 2030, the important ones being:
• Green generation of at least 5 MMT (million metric tones) per year with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country. Development of hydrogen production capacity,
• Total investment of over Rs.8 lakh crore , •
Generation of more than six lakh jobs,
• Reduction in fossil fuel import worth over Rs.1 lakh crore in total,
• Reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions Shortage of about 50 MMT.