India sets emission thresholds for production of Green Hydrogen

New Delhi: India has notified the green hydrogen standard for the country and outlining the emission thresholds for production of hydrogen that can be classified as ‘green’ from renewable sources.

The standard issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) which conisder as a “significant move” for the progress of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

“After discussions with multiple stakeholders, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has decided to define Green Hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emissionof not more than 2 kg CO2 equivalent / kg H2” said the Ministry.

The scope of the definition encompasses both electrolysis-based and biomass-based hydrogen production methods.

India became one of the few countries to have a definition for green hydrogen, which will give a new boost to make India a “hub” of Green Hydrogen.

The government launched National Green Hydrogen Mission early this year with an aim to produce 5 million metric tonne (MMT) green hydrogen per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity of about 125 giga watt (GW) by 2030.

The mission has an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore up to 2029-30. The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme is a major financial measure under the mission with an outlay of Rs 17,490 cr.

The notification specifies that a detailed methodology for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its derivatives shall be specified by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

It also specifies that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power shall be the Nodal Authority for accreditation of agencies for the monitoring, verification and certification for Green Hydrogen production projects.

“The notification of the Green Hydrogen Standard brings a lot of clarity to the Green Hydrogen community in India and was widely awaited” the Ministry said.