Europe hopes to boost green hydrogen production or imports in the next years to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, concentrated on Australian clean fuel production to import more flows, and India became a transitional mediator due to the supply chain’s length.
According to the specialist energy platform, the old continent may purchase more hydrogen to reduce exports as demand rises, despite its goal of producing 100 gigawatts of green hydrogen by 2030.
Europe’s green hydrogen focus is now global, with 680 large-scale hydrogen projects and $240 billion in investments by 2030.
Stefan Kaufmann said that Germany has examined green hydrogen generation potential in 31 African countries in addition to strategic cooperation with Australia.
He noted that importing hydrogen from Australia to Germany across great distances slows the supply chain and requires an intermediary country like “India” due to its optimal location between the two countries.
India is exporting green hydrogen and has excess liquefied gas.
Kaufman said that New Delhi could supply green hydrogen, which is a clean fuel and has a 10% transit cost if produced in a country with wind and solar energy.
Whether India transports hydrogen from Australia to Germany or Europe, is part of the value chain, or supplies its manufacturing, this strengthens the 2021 EU-India cooperation agenda.
According to Stefan Kaufmann, India’s transformation from “intermediary” to “provider” may put it at a loss between using the fuel domestically to reduce carbon or exporting it.
India has been working to produce 5 million tons of green hydrogen by the end of the decade since 2022. (2030). The country’s recurrent electricity crises, which force it to use coal, may make the ambitious agenda difficult to implement.
The Indian Ministry of Electricity declared “emergency” measures to meet demand during summer and high temperatures.
Article No. 11 of the country’s Electricity Law authorizes it to give production rate directives to enterprises or stations during extraordinary times and require coal-fired stations to operate at full capacity.
Energy demand
Electricity shortages may force India to buy coal instead of investing in solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.
India demands full production from coal-fired power facilities.
India needs to operate 193 gigawatt plants in April to meet demand, which may put power plants in difficulties, especially those with fixed-price supply contracts.
The “Mandra” station of the “Adani Power” corporation has 4 gigawatts and 620 megawatts, and the “Tata Power” station has 4 gigawatts. Imported coal prices may strain stations.