GoI approves Rs.19 crores to pave the way for National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Union cabinet showed the green flag to the National Hydrogen mission by approving Rs. 19,744 crores on 4th January 2023. The announcement at the beginning of the year is nothing less than a blessing for different sectors of the country, be it employment, renewable energies, manufacturing, or technologies.

The outlay of the total amount approved by the Indian government in the National Hydrogen mission

A total of Rs.19744 crores is planned to be invested soon in the National Green Hydrogen mission. Out of the total amount, Rs. 17,490 crores are to be invested for the sight program, Rs. 1,446 crores for the pilot project, Rs. 400 crores for R&D, and Rs. 388 crores for other components of the mission. This outline very much explains that the Indian government is all set to touch all the points of the mission and thus leave no stone unturned to make this mission a huge success in the coming years.

Advantages of the mission

1. Decarbonization of different sectors- Be it steel making industry, chemical industry, or refineries, green hydrogen is one sure-shot solution for reducing the carbon footprint. Needless to say, the industrial, mobility, and energy sectors are the ones getting the most benefits when it comes to decarbonization via the green hydrogen initiative.

Hydrogen produced after the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen via renewable energy is green hydrogen. One can easily use the hydrogen produced for fueling vehicles, manufacturing companies and renewable sectors and use oxygen as a by-product by venting entirely into the atmosphere without causing any harm. Hence reducing the carbon footprint in the end.

2. Less Dependence on imported fossil fuels- According to science, hydrogen comprises three times the energy of fossil fuels. This means increased production of green hydrogen will automatically reduce dependence on fossil fuels, especially in countries like India where the current consumption of fossil fuels is nearly 59 percent.

According to the estimates, a total reduction of more than one lakh crore cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports can be witnessed in a short span of time if green hydrogen is utilised properly.

3. Better manufacturing capabilities- Not only green hydrogen helps in decarbonization but also works as an encouraging factor in industrial development. Green hydrogen helps in securing long-term imports which in turn creates new opportunities for industrial development mainly in countries that are well equipped with renewable forms of energy.

If countries like India create a better framework condition, they can easily develop a well-functioning industrial model by investing in renewable energy projects and electrolyzers that help a great deal in attracting steel and chemical-based industries.

4. Better employment opportunities- We can expect the development of at least 5 MMT of green hydrogen production. However, this energy cannot be produced overnight. It will take at least one year to produce this amount of energy. And from the production to the utilization stage of the respective energy in different sectors post production will require machines as well as manpower.

This means you can expect a huge number of jobs in the upcoming year. According to the experts, more than 6 lakh jobs will be generated with the introduction of the Green Hydrogen mission.

5. Development of new technologies- About 125 GW of renewable energy will be added with the production of green hydrogen. As a result, fast advancement of technology will take place in the energy sector which in turn will encourage the opening of energy tech start-ups.

Investment in green hydrogen means taking full responsibility for the development of every sector without harming the environment in any way. Gladly, the Indian government understood this fact and decided to invest in the mission when the world is in dire need of a clean and unpolluted environment, better job opportunities, and better export-import flow.

India’s Renewable Energy Commitments