The Union Cabinet has given the National Go Hydrogen Mission the green light. The mission includes Rs 17,490 crore for the SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) programme, Rs 1,446 crore for pilot projects, Rs 400 crore for R&D (Research and Development), and Rs 388 crore for other elements of the Mission, for a total of Rs 19,744 crore for the primary outlay.
The Mission is aiming to complete the following goals by 2030:
- Investments totalling more than Rs 8 lakh crore
6 lakh employment opportunities.
Development of green hydrogen production capacity of minimum 5 Million Metric Tonne (MMT) annually and associated renewable energy capacity additions of around 125 Giga Watt (GW) in India.
Collective decrease of fossil fuel imports of more than Rs 1 lakh crores.
Reduction of around 50 MMT annual greenhouse gas emissions.
The Mission includes a range of advantages such as creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, the decarbonisation of the industrial, mobility, and energy sectors, the reduction of reliance on imported fossil fuels and feedstock, the development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities, the creation of job opportunities, and the development of cutting-edge technologies.
India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is expected to reach at least 5 MMT per year, with a 125 GW increase in renewable energy capacity. By 2030, the targets are expected to attract over Rs. 8 lakh crores in investments and create over 6 lakh jobs. By 2030, nearly 50 MMT of CO2 emissions are expected to be avoided.
The Mission will make it easier to produce, use, export and create demand for Green Hydrogen. The Mission will provide two distinct financial incentive mechanisms aimed at domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and production of Green Hydrogen under SIGHT.
In addition, the Mission will fund pilot projects in emerging end-use sectors and production pathways. Green Hydrogen Hubs will be identified and developed in areas that are capable of supporting large-scale hydrogen production and/or utilisation.
To support the establishment of a Green Hydrogen ecosystem, an enabling policy framework will be developed. A solid Standards and Regulations framework will also be created. Furthermore, the Mission will facilitate a PPP (public-private partnership) framework for R&D (Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership – SHIP).
The R&D projects will be goal-oriented, time-bound, and appropriately scaled up to develop globally competitive technologies. The Mission will also implement a coordinated skill development programme.
All concerned Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Institutions of the Central and State Governments will take focused and coordinated steps to ensure the Mission’s success. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will oversee the Mission’s overall coordination and implementation.