Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen through a video, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action.
He highlighted that the effects of climate change are already evident, and immediate action is crucial. “The time for action is here and now,” he stated. The Prime Minister noted that energy transition and sustainability are at the forefront of global policy discussions.
India’s Achievements in Green Energy
The Prime Minister proudly pointed out that India was one of the first G20 nations to meet its Paris Agreement commitments on green energy, achieving these goals nine years ahead of the 2030 target. He mentioned that India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity has increased by nearly 300%, and solar energy capacity has grown by over 3,000% in the past decade. Despite these advances, Modi stressed the need for continued focus on existing and innovative solutions, bringing Green Hydrogen into the spotlight.
The Promise of Green Hydrogen
Prime Minister Modi described Green Hydrogen as a promising addition to the world’s energy portfolio, especially for industries that are challenging to electrify, such as refineries, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. He also proposed using Green Hydrogen as a storage solution for excess renewable energy. Reflecting on the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in 2023, he detailed India’s ambition to become a global hub for Green Hydrogen production, utilization, and export. The mission aims to spur innovation, infrastructure development, industry growth, and investment in this sector.
Investment and Innovation
PM Modi emphasized the importance of cutting-edge research, partnerships between industry and academia, and support for startups and entrepreneurs within the Green Hydrogen domain. He highlighted the potential for creating green jobs and the government’s efforts in skill development for youth in this sector. He stressed the necessity of international cooperation to address global climate and energy challenges, particularly in scaling up Green Hydrogen production, reducing costs, and building infrastructure.
Need for Global Partnerships
At the G20 Summit in India in 2023, Green Hydrogen was a key focus, and Modi reiterated the importance of international partnerships to maximize its impact on decarbonization. He encouraged investment in research and innovation and acknowledged the adoption of five high-level voluntary principles on Hydrogen during the summit. “The decisions we make now will decide the lives of our future generations,” he affirmed.
Empowering Scientists and Innovators
Prime Minister Modi called for increased collaboration among domain experts to address the challenges in the Green Hydrogen sector. He urged the scientific community to lead in proposing public policy changes to support this sector and posed critical questions about improving the efficiency of Green Hydrogen production processes. Modi stressed the importance of exploring seawater and municipal wastewater for hydrogen production and addressing the challenges of using Green Hydrogen for public transport and shipping.
Reflecting on humanity’s history of overcoming challenges through collective and innovative solutions, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the same spirit could guide the world toward a sustainable future. “We can achieve anything when we are together,” he remarked, urging global cooperation to accelerate the development and deployment of Green Hydrogen. In conclusion, he extended his best wishes to all participants at the conference and reiterated the need for collaboration in building a greener and more sustainable world.
