India has made a significant debut at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024, currently being held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from May 13 to 15. This event marks the first time India has set up its pavilion, emphasizing its advancements and ambitions in green hydrogen technology. The pavilion, organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, stands as one of the largest at the summit, drawing considerable attention and facilitating vital engagements with global stakeholders. India’s participation at the summit is underpinned by its ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 with an overall budget of Rs 19,744 crore. The mission aims to achieve a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million metric tonnes by the year 2030. This goal reflects India’s commitment to transitioning towards renewable energy and reducing its carbon footprint.
To date, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued tenders for developing 412,000 tonnes of green hydrogen production capacity and 1,500 MW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to integrate green hydrogen into critical sectors such as steel, transportation, and shipping. Additionally, the Department of Science and Technology has initiated Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters to drive innovation and foster a robust green hydrogen ecosystem within the country. Union Power Minister RK Singh recently highlighted that approximately 44% of India’s energy needs are currently met by non-fossil sources. This percentage is projected to increase to around 65% by 2030, surpassing the commitments made by India at the COP26 summit in 2021. These projections underscore India’s proactive stance in embracing renewable energy solutions and its significant progress towards sustainable energy goals.
The World Hydrogen Summit, a key event in the global green hydrogen arena, is expected to host over 15,000 delegates from around the world. India’s pavilion offers a crucial platform to showcase its advancements in green hydrogen technology and engage with international counterparts. The Indian delegation includes representatives from key ministries such as New & Renewable Energy, Science and Technology, Railways, and Petroleum and Natural Gas, alongside participation from private sector enterprises. This diverse representation aims to foster governmental interactions and facilitate significant engagement between Indian industry and global stakeholders.
In a recent development, India has launched a dedicated portal for the National Green Hydrogen Mission. This portal, accessible at (https://nghm.mnre.gov.in), provides comprehensive information on the mission’s objectives and progress, serving as a centralized resource for stakeholders and the public.
India’s participation in the World Hydrogen Summit 2024 underscores its commitment to renewable energy and its proactive approach to combating climate change through innovative technologies like green hydrogen. The establishment of the India Pavilion and the initiatives highlighted at the summit reflect the country’s strategic efforts to position itself as a global leader in the green hydrogen sector.
