The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced that the Indian government established a benchmark for "green" hydrogen derived from renewable sources.

This benchmark entails maintaining a carbon dioxide emission limit of two kilograms for every kilogram of hydrogen produced. The unveiling of this directive is expected to offer much-needed clarity to the landscape of green hydrogen production in India.

In a statement outlining the criteria for emissions accountability, the ministry declared India's pioneering role in globally defining Green Hydrogen, placing the country among the early adopters of such a classification. The essence of this determination lies in specifying the emissions that will be considered within this framework.

India's aspiration to position itself as a prominent global centre for green hydrogen production is evident in its ambitious goals. The nation aims to achieve an annual production of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.

This endeavour is projected to result in a substantial reduction of approximately 50 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions and yield financial savings exceeding $12 billion through diminished reliance on fossil fuel imports.

This endeavour is particularly remarkable given the current hydrogen landscape in India, where the majority of hydrogen production relies on fossil fuels. While hydrogen fuel emits only water when utilised, its creation involves electrolysis plants that break down water molecules. The central concern pertains to the energy sources employed in this process and the associated carbon emissions.

Notably, earlier this year, Indian officials presiding over the rotating G20 presidency proposed a carbon emissions threshold of 1 kilogram of CO2 for green hydrogen. This proposal constitutes half of the emission limit that was officially introduced on Saturday.

Although the initial production phase is anticipated to commence in 2026, India is proactively engaged in negotiations with nations such as the European Union and Japan, among others, to establish bilateral agreements for the export of green hydrogen.

This forward-looking approach underscores India's commitment to becoming a significant player in the global green energy landscape.

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Source: Reuters