India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission is set to revolutionize the hydrogen industry. Spearheaded by the Union Ministry for New & Renewable Energy and Power, the mission aims to establish a robust green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million metric tons (MMT) per annum by the year 2030.
This ambitious endeavor holds the potential to avert nearly 50 MMT of CO2 emissions annually, marking a major stride towards a low-carbon future.
Union Minister R. K. Singh recently revealed the key aspects of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, providing a glimpse into the transformative journey India is embarking upon. The mission received a significant boost when the Union Cabinet approved it with a substantial budget of Rs. 19,744 crores.
At the heart of the mission lies the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme, a groundbreaking financial measure backed by an outlay of Rs. 17,490 crores. This visionary program incentivizes the manufacturing of electrolysers and the production of green hydrogen, empowering the growth of a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem.
The SIGHT Programme encompasses two vital financial incentive mechanisms targeted at bolstering domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and green hydrogen production. By offering substantial incentives, the government aims to catalyze private sector investments and accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen technologies.
In addition, the guidelines for the incentive schemes for electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production have been unveiled, providing clarity and direction for stakeholders seeking to participate in this transformative mission.
The importance of fostering a sustainable and equitable global hydrogen ecosystem was highlighted during the G20 Energy Transitions Ministers Meeting in July 2022. Participating nations, including India, emphasized the need for fair trade of hydrogen produced from zero and low-emission technologies and their derivatives. The consensus led to the formulation of High Level Voluntary Principles on Hydrogen, which align with the overarching goals of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.