India’s mega-buck clean fuel play is set to take off With hydrogen hubs and vehicles, strategic routes and more
India is making waves in the renewable sector, allocating over £1.9 billion under its flagship National Green Hydrogen Mission. With a prominent ₹1506 crore directed towards three key ministries and associated projects, this generous fund also earmarks ₹400 crore specifically for research and development.
Come October, the mission is set to finalise its R&D scheme guidelines, paving the way for proposal calls by November. The proposal further champions the establishment of a National Centre for Hydrogen Safety.
The influential empowered group reports reveal that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) are gearing up to announce themes and structures for pilot projects. This announcement follows a recent meeting held earlier this month.
The MoPSW has projected a requirement of ₹2,140 crore to develop facilities around key ports: Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin. The task of outlining scheme guidelines falls under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, set to cater to MoPSW's needs.
There’s more on the horizon. MoPSW is set on enhancing ports, morphing them into formidable hydrogen hubs. Furthermore, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is engaging in strategic route planning aligned with hydrogen fuelling stations. By the close of 2023, the first phase of these pilot projects will be launched.
The green shift also places a spotlight on hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, aiming to adopt global standards and codes by year-end.
Earlier this annum, the Union Cabinet gave the nod to the Green Hydrogen Mission, granting an impressive ₹19,744 crore, with ambitions to harness 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. A significant ₹17,490 crore of this has been reserved for the innovative SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) programme.
Under the SIGHT programme's auspices, the committee has unveiled bids for a staggering 450,000 tonnes of green hydrogen capacity. October 31st stands as the deadline for bid submissions, with successful bidders to be announced in November. The programme's future phases are poised to revolutionise the supply chain of green ammonia and Green Hydrogen to leading refineries.
It’s evident, India is at the forefront of a green revolution, championing a brighter, sustainable future.