This article has been written by Manu Sharma, 9th semester of law from Amity University Raipur.
ABSTRACT
“India is committed to becoming a global leader in the production and utilization of green hydrogen, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission is a crucial step in this direction.”
India is committed to ambitious climate change targets, with the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy capacity and a growing interest in renewable energy investments. The country aims to achieve net zero by 2070 and energy independence by 2047 and is developing a green hydrogen ecosystem to address energy security and climate change. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to stimulate a methodical response to the opportunities and challenges of this developing industry, offering a comprehensive action plan for creating a green hydrogen ecosystem. Green hydrogen, created by electrolyzing water with renewable energy sources, is a sustainable, clean, and adaptable fuel suitable for industrial, power generation, and transportation applications.
India’s Green Hydrogen Mission 2024 aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen export, production, and its derivatives. The mission aims to utilize green hydrogen in various industries, export it to other nations, create millions of jobs, and reduce India’s carbon emissions by 1 billion tons annually by 2030. The mission will create the capacity to manufacture at least 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The mission will advocate for the substitution of renewable fuels and green hydrogen-based feedstocks for fossil fuels, including replacing hydrogen in ammonia and petroleum refining, blending green hydrogen in city gas distribution systems, producing steel using green hydrogen, and using synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen in various industries. A comprehensive incentive scheme will support the growth of the Green Hydrogen Sector value chain, including two distinct financial incentive programs.
The Indian government is implementing a comprehensive approach to encourage green hydrogen generation, focusing on a supportive environment and coordinating with various ministries. The government will extend favorable policy provisions to Green Hydrogen Projects, such as renewable energy banking, waiving interstate transmission fees, and providing open access. The government will develop integrated projects for energy storage, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy capacity, appropriate power banking, and related power system projects.
The success of the Mission depends on the availability of land and supportive regulations for large-scale manufacturing facilities for green hydrogen and related goods. The government will investigate various regulatory measures and initiatives, including Green Finance and Green bonds, to ensure access to affordable funding for Green Hydrogen projects.
A robust regulatory framework, safety regulations, and quality and performance standards are necessary for the developing industry. The Bureau of Indian Standards is creating and disseminating standards, while the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is developing specific standards and rules for automotive use. An ecosystem for the prompt clearance of pilot and demonstration projects will be created, and a database of relevant laws and guidelines will be posted on a web-based platform.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission in India aims to implement strategies for green hydrogen, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors. The mission will follow a systematic, coordinated approach, starting with pilot projects and regulatory frameworks. It will expand efforts and expand into new sectors, working closely with stakeholders. The mission will facilitate investment, job creation, and economic expansion through cost reduction and economies of scale.
Key words: National Green Hydrogen Mission, regulatory framework, Aatmanirbhar Etc..
INTRODUCTION
Many countries have recognized India’s strong commitment to ambitious climate change targets. Our goals align with our accomplishments. The world’s fastest-growing renewable energy capacity is found in India. Additionally, India has become one of the most alluring locations for renewable energy investments. We acknowledge the vital significance of green hydrogen as India strives to attain net zero by 2070 and energy independence by 2047. With its abundant renewable energy resources, India also has the chance to manufacture green hydrogen for the global market. The National Green Hydrogen Mission seeks to stimulate a methodical response to the opportunities and difficulties of this developing industry while offering a thorough action plan for creating a green hydrogen ecosystem.
India’s enormous population and expanding economy make it difficult to meet its energy demands while tackling the urgent problems of energy security and climate change. Environmental issues and a dependency on imports have resulted from the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation. To overcome these obstacles, India has started a bold green hydrogen initiative with the goal of revolutionizing its energy sector and establishing itself as a clean energy leader worldwide. A potential answer to India’s energy problems is green hydrogen, which is created by electrolyzing water with renewable energy sources. It is a sustainable, clean, and adaptable fuel that may be utilized in several fields, such as industrial, power generation, and transportation. India’s enormous population and expanding economy make it difficult to meet its energy demands while tackling the urgent problems of energy security and climate change. Environmental issues and a dependency on imports have resulted from the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation. To overcome these obstacles, India has started a bold green hydrogen initiative with the goal of revolutionizing its energy sector and establishing itself as a clean energy leader worldwide. A potential answer to India’s energy problems is green hydrogen, which is created by electrolyzing water with renewable energy sources. It is a sustainable, clean, and adaptable fuel that may be utilized in several fields, such as industrial, power generation, and transportation.
OBJECTIVES OF INDIA’S GREEN HYDROGEN MISSION 2024
The primary objective of this mission is to see India as global hub foe green hydrogen export, production and its derivatives. This will push India to words achievement of aim to become AATMANIRBHAR by transmission of clean energy, which will also lead to become self-reliant while import of fossil fuel. It will make it possible for India to take the lead in green hydrogen technologies and markets.
The Indian government’s Green Hydrogen Mission 2024 lays forth aggressive goals to advance the production, use, and export of green hydrogen. The mission’s primary goals are:
- Green hydrogen utilization: To use green hydrogen in a variety of industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation.
- Green Hydrogen export: To export green hydrogen to other nations and establish a global presence in the green hydrogen market.
- Job creation: The green hydrogen industry is expected to provide millions of jobs.
- Carbon emission reduction: By 2030, India’s carbon emissions are to be cut by 1 billion tons annually.
The Mission will create the capacity to manufacture at least 5 million metric tons (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030 to meet the goals; with the growth of export markets, this capacity might rise to 10 MMT annually. The Mission will advocate for the substitution of renewable fuels and green hydrogen-based feedstocks for fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based feedstocks. This will include using green hydrogen to replace hydrogen derived from fossil fuels in the production of ammonia and petroleum refining, blending green hydrogen in city gas distribution systems, producing steel using green hydrogen, and using synthetic fuels derived from green hydrogen (such as green methanol, green ammonia, etc.) to replace fossil fuels in a variety of industries, such as transportation, shipping, and aviation.
STRATEGIES AND INITIATIVES
A comprehensive incentive scheme will be part of the Mission’s plan to support the growth of the nation’s Green Hydrogen Sector value chain. Under the Mission to Promote the Production of Low-Cost Green Hydrogen and Domestic Manufacturing of Related Equipment and Technologies, a comprehensive and comprehensive set of fiscal incentives and non-fiscal measures are recommended. As the Mission advances, certain incentive plans and initiatives will continue to change in response to market conditions and technological advancements.
Two distinct financial incentive programs are put forth in the first phase to encourage the generation of green hydrogen and electrolyze manufacture in the country. Equipment: The project must use equipment that has been approved by the Indian government in accordance with specific quality and performance criteria to meet the eligibility requirements for participation in the competitive bidding process for the procurement of green hydrogen and its derivatives. In this context, the Government of India may occasionally announce an authorized list of models and manufacturers.
By reducing first-move risk and offering viability support to early innovators in the sector until production of green hydrogen and its derivatives reaches scale and sustainability, the program’s proposed incentives and interventions are anticipated to significantly lower the cost of green hydrogen, enabling its use in emerging sectors and ensuring the establishment of a domestic manufacturing ecosystem.
- Integrated mission strategy
To guarantee the effective accomplishment of the Mission’s goals, all relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Institutions of the Federal and State Governments will conduct targeted and coordinated actions.
- The Mission’s overall coordination and execution will fall under the purview of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). To encourage the production, use, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives, the Mission Secretariat, which is based at MNRE, will develop plans and initiatives for financial incentives. The Ministry will support pilot and research and development initiatives, expand capacity, facilitate international cooperation, and guarantee the planned deployment of renewable energy and green hydrogen capabilities. Through close collaboration with numerous public and commercial organizations in charge of other Mission-related responsibilities, the Ministry will also guarantee the nation’s overall growth of the Green Hydrogen ecosystem.
- To guarantee the availability of renewable energy for the generation of green hydrogen at the most affordable price, the Ministry of Power (MOP) will put rules and regulations into place, including construction of the infrastructure required for the electricity system. To align the power ecosystem for large-scale green hydrogen production, the Ministry of Power will also collaborate with state governments, distribution firms, regulators, and technological institutions.
- Through both public and private sector organizations, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) would encourage the use of green hydrogen in refineries and city gas distribution. Additionally, through the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), MoPNG will facilitate the formulation of regulations. To gradually replace imported fossil fuels, new refineries and city gas projects will be built and engineered to support the greatest amount of green hydrogen deployment.
- To gradually replace fertilizer imports and feedstocks derived from fossil fuels (natural gas and ammonia) used in fertilizer manufacturing, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers will promote the use of domestic green ammonia-based fertilizers. This will lessen reliance on imports and decarbonize the industry. To generate bulk demand, the Ministry will permit its designated businesses to purchase green ammonia.
- Through rules, norms, and codes, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will facilitate the use of green hydrogen in the transportation industry, namely for long-distance and large commercial vehicles. Through testing facilities, pilot projects, and infrastructure development assistance, MORTH will also help the development of technology for the transportation sector’s use of green hydrogen.
- The Ministry of Steel will encourage the steel industry to embrace green hydrogen. Finding and supporting pilot projects for the manufacturing of steel using green hydrogen to implement legislative actions to hasten the commercialization of green steel.
- The following will be established in large part by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW): India’s capacity to export green hydrogen and its byproducts. MoPSW will assist with the construction of the required infrastructure, such as port operations and storage bunkers equipment as well as facilities for refueling. Additionally, MoPSW will encourage the use of hydrogen and its derivatives. – (Methanol/Ammonia) will be utilized as ship propulsion fuel. The ministry will follow this course as well. establishing India as a center for refueling using green hydrogen and derivatives.
- To encourage the production, use, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives, the Ministry of Finance shall investigate appropriate fiscal and financial structures.
- To support low-cost production and trade of hydrogen and its derivatives, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry will promote investments, make doing business easier, and put industrial and trade policy measures into place. To promote international trade in hydrogen and its derivatives, the Ministry will engage in discussions. Additionally, the Ministry will provide the programs and regulations required to build a manufacturing ecosystem. of specialized machinery required in the value chain for green hydrogen.
- Considering its aggressive intentions to lower its carbon footprint, the Ministry of Railways will endeavor to implement green hydrogen in its operations. Therefore, it is anticipated that railroads will be crucial to the transportation of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The Ministry will establish the required rules and guidelines for this.
- To enable safe and quick scaling up of projects for hydrogen generation, delivery, storage, and usage, concerted efforts will be needed to create a strong ecosystem of rules and standards. In collaboration with the Bureau of Indian Standards, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and other related organizations, MNRE will serve as the focal point of this initiative.
- The Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Department of Space, the Defense Research & Development Organization, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, MNRE, and other public research and innovation institutions will combine their resources to create a comprehensive, goal-oriented Research and Innovation program in partnership with the private sector.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will play a key role in establishing bilateral and multilateral alliances to promote the growth of the Green Hydrogen ecosystem both domestically and internationally. Additionally, MEA will support government agencies, institutions, and industry in their partnerships with international partners.
- To ensure employment in this industry, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will work with MNRE and other ministries to develop skill sets. Appropriate programs and courses will be created to train workers in all areas of the value chain, such as equipment production, installing Green Hydrogen projects, and operations and maintenance
- The Ministry of Education shall strive to include the most recent information on hydrogen technology. changes to curricula and pedagogy at different levels. Real-world knowledge of technology through standards for laboratory configurations in educational institutions will be supported as well.
- State agencies and administrations will also be crucial to the development of ecosystem of green hydrogen. States will have a chance to position themselves as front-runners. leaders in this emerging industry through project creation, production, and setup capability for renewable energy and encouraging the export of derivatives of green hydrogen. For this, The States will be asked to implement just and sensible land provision policies. water, appropriate tax and duty regimes, and further steps to make it easier to develop green hydrogen initiatives.
FRAMEWORK FOR ENABLING POLICIES
- The whole Government approach will be necessary to extend the maximum benefits under current government policies and coordinate across government departments to encourage inexpensive green hydrogen generation. Throughout order to provide a supportive environment for the growth of Green Hydrogen projects throughout the nation, MNRE will communicate and work with various federal and state ministries.
- Several favorable policy provisions will be extended to Green Hydrogen Projects to promote the delivery of renewable power. This includes allowing renewable energy banking, waiving interstate transmission fees for renewable energy used to produce green hydrogen, and providing open access and connection on a time-bound basis.
- To achieve this, the Indian government would develop and execute integrated projects for energy storage, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy capacity, appropriate power banking, and related power system projects.
- The Mission’s success will depend on the availability of land and supportive regulations for the establishment of large-scale manufacturing facilities for green hydrogen and related goods. The provisions of current programs, like Manufacturing Zones, Solar Parks, and SEZs, should be expanded to include activities connected to green hydrogen.
- To guarantee access to affordable funding for Green Hydrogen projects, several regulatory measures and initiatives will be investigated, including worldwide Green Finance, Green bonds, and other cutting-edge financial mechanisms.
REGULATIONS, CODES AND STANDARDS
A robust regulatory framework, safety regulations, and pertinent quality and performance standards are necessary for any developing industry. These will support the private sector’s long-term investment outlook in addition to directing technological advancement. As a result, the Mission will work to coordinate different initiatives for the creation of standards and regulations that meet industry demands for new technology. New procedures will be created when needed, and the current statutory approval and permission procedures will be simplified. The need for ease of doing business will be considered, and technological advancements will be used to streamline procedures and expedite approvals. To facilitate technology interoperability and integrate international best practices, efforts will be undertaken to align laws and standards with generally recognized norms.
To facilitate the hydrogen ecosystem, considerable efforts are already being made to develop a set of regulations and standards. To address several important issues, the Bureau of Indian Standards is creating and disseminating standards, including, when practical, directly adopting pertinent foreign standards. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is also developing specific standards and rules for automotive use.
One area of immediate effort will be to create an ecosystem for the prompt clearance of pilot and demonstration projects under the Mission. Within a year following the Mission’s notice, all regulatory provisions (or changes to current regulations) allowing the operation of hydrogen-fueled cars and other applications will be announced. A database of all pertinent laws and guidelines pertaining to hydrogen at the federal and state levels will be posted on a web-based platform. Options for online safety and regulatory approvals for different facets of hydrogen production, storage, and consumption will also be available on the platform.
The establishment of suitable testing facilities will be encouraged to validate and certify technology. In partnership with top national and international research institutions, test protocols pertinent to Indian conditions will be created and updated on a regular basis. As new applications and technology are developed, these will occasionally be updated. The evaluation of both new and current technologies will yield knowledge and expertise that will be appropriately shared. By the end of 2023–2024, the goal is to make it easier to notify all relevant standards and laws. Adoption of pertinent international standards in crucial fields would be promoted in the meantime. Existing national test centers will be equipped with specialized test facilities for the needs of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. To increase public confidence in emerging technologies within the green hydrogen ecosystem, Throughout the value chain, security will be given top priority and addressed through testing and standards. Protocol. Gaining knowledge about the safety features of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies Internationally recognized standards will guide the development of safety rules.
In accordance with international standards, a regulatory framework will be swiftly constructed to permit the distribution and storage of hydrogen. The rules pertaining to hydrogen storage will also be re-examined to bring them into line with industry demands and worldwide technological advancements. To gain traction in the global market, it will also be crucial to align with widely accepted standards and laws.
A working group comprising relevant ministries, government agencies, certification and standardization organizations, and industry stakeholders has been established by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to address the concerns. The group’s goal is to suggest a national framework for the standards and regulations needed for the green hydrogen ecosystem.
ROADMAP FOR IMPLEMENTATION
A systematic and coordinated approach will be taken to implementing the strategies listed under the Mission. In addition to increasing demand and facilitating early deployment, the Mission’s staged approach will allow for the implementation of basic activities such as pilot projects and the regulatory framework. Subsequent stages will expand on existing efforts and implement green projects in new economic sectors. To accomplish the mission’s goals, activities will be undertaken in close conjunction with the relevant stakeholders.
CONCLUSION
In India’s energy transition, green hydrogen is probably going to be crucial, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors. One move in this direction is the National Green Hydrogen Mission. It is anticipated that the mission will make it easier to implement a green hydrogen ecosystem and open doors for investment and innovation throughout the green hydrogen value chain, which will boost investment, job creation, and economic expansion. Through cost reduction and economies of scale, the Indian government’s intervention will quicken the process and give the required boost to unlock market potential across many sectors.
Reference:
- National green hydrogen mission report
- By the ministry of new and renewable energy.
- In national portal of India
