India is aiming high to achieve energy independence for its vast population. To realize the clean energy transition smoothly and achieve net zero emission levels by 2070, recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced Green Hydrogen Production Standards and provided much-needed thrust to the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). Green hydrogen has diverse benefits in terms of complete sustainability, and the fact that during production or combustion, it doesn’t produce harmful gases. To tap its unmatched potential, India’s first green hydrogen plant has been already set up in Assam and is aiming for 5 million metric tons of production by 2030.
According to the standards, the emission rates while producing green hydrogen (electrolysis/ Biomass method) should not exceed 2 Kg of CO2 equivalent of Hydrogen (H2) during the entire emission process which is accounted as a twelve-month average. The standards have mentioned that a detailed specification for the measurement, reporting, monitoring, onsite verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its derivatives will be given by the Ministry over time.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power will work as the nodal agency for the purpose. It will assess and authorize the agencies responsible for monitoring, verification, and certification for green hydrogen production projects in India. The introduction of the green hydrogen standards is giving clarity to the definition of green hydrogen to the multiple stakeholders of the energy industry.
The standards will ensure the least emission of carbon into the environment, and quality-led production under the supervision of BEE. This will help India to rise and compete among the hydrogen community of the world. It will bring new opportunities for green jobs in the energy sector and make India a major producer and supplier of green hydrogen globally.
Its implementation will demand investment and trading opportunities including expansion of manufacturing capacities to keep a check on the minimum dependence on imported fossil fuels. The continuous support of Research & Development in the area along with the efforts of India’s Green Hydrogen Community promise a rock-solid base for the growth of the Indian economy in its ‘Amrit Kaal’ and a more resilient global energy sector for the sustainable future of mankind.