India will achieve 5 MMT Green Hydrogen production capacity per annum by 2030: R K Singh

New Delhi: Union Minister for Power RK Singh on Wednesday said National Green Hydrogen Mission is expected to lead to development of 5 MMT Green Hydrogen production capacity per annum by 2030.

In a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha, RK Singh said, “Green Hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuels including natural gas and contributing to reduction in dependence on import of fossil fuels.

“The quantum of such reduction in imports is estimated at ₹ 1 lakh crore by 2030” he added.

To make India the Global Hub for production, India has launched National Green Hydrogen Mission with an outlay of ₹ 17,490 crore up to 2029-30.

The Mission will contribute to India’s aim to become Aatmanirbhar through clean energy and serve as an inspiration for the global Clean Energy Transition.

The Mission will lead to significant decarbonisation of the economy, reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports, and enable India to assume technology and market leadership in Green Hydrogen.”

For production of 1 kg of green hydrogen via electrolysis, around 10 litres of demineralized water are needed.

Accordingly, the demineralized water requirement for 5 MMT Green Hydrogen production per annum will be about 50 Million Cubic Meter (MCM) per annum.

“Majority of the Green Hydrogen production plants are expected to come up near port locations as per the industry feedback. In such cases, desalinized sea water could also be used for Green Hydrogen production” the minister said.

The Minister said since water is a state subject, the project developers will have to comply with the State regulations for securing the water supply.

The Union Minister also informed that as per the updated Nationally Determined Contributions submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, government has committed to achieving 50% non-fossil based installed electricity capacity by 2030.

“So far, a total of 186.46 GW capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources has been installed in the country as on 31 October, 2023, which includes 178.98 GW Renewable Energy and 7.48 GW Nuclear Power” he said.

In addition, 114.08 GW of capacity is under implementation and 55.13 GW capacity is under tendering. The share of non-fossil fuel sources in India’s total installed electricity generation capacity reached 43.82% as on 31 October, 2023, the Minister informed the House.