Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and renewable energy developer Statkraft have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The primary goal of this collaboration is to identify suitable sites for the establishment of green hydrogen production facilities within Kandla Port, Gujarat.
The agreement was formalized during the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 in Mumbai on October 17, 2023, as per an official press release. The MoU marks the initial step toward establishing a future green hydrogen hub at the Deendayal Port.
India currently ranks as the world’s second-largest hydrogen consumer, consuming approximately seven million tonnes of gray hydrogen annually. The nation’s hydrogen demand is projected to surge, with estimates suggesting it could reach 12 million tonnes by 2030 and an impressive 28 million tonnes by 2050. This escalation aligns with India’s ambitious commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as declared during the 26th UN Climate Change Conference.
Green hydrogen’s pivotal role in decarbonizing “hard-to-abate” sectors like steel, cement, and refineries, which contribute to roughly 9 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscores its significance. Green hydrogen can effectively replace gray hydrogen derived from fossil fuels, coal, and natural gas, serving as an eco-friendly fuel and feedstock alternative.
Mr. Rahu Varshney, Country Manager – India at Statkraft, expressed confidence in India’s potential to lead the transition to a hydrogen economy. He emphasized the MoU’s principal focus, which is to identify and evaluate potential sites for green hydrogen development.
India’s endeavor to embrace green hydrogen not only aligns with its commitment to a sustainable future but also positions it as a frontrunner in the burgeoning global hydrogen economy. As the nation seeks to harness the potential of green hydrogen, collaborations like the one between DPA and Statkraft are likely to play a pivotal role in this ambitious journey.
