PM Narendra Modi unveils second edition of ICGH 2024

India’s Commitment to a Greener Future

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently opened the second International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024) in Delhi through a video message. He talked about India’s strong efforts to fight climate change and how green hydrogen can play an important role in the world’s energy future.

Modi said, “India is fully dedicated to making our planet cleaner and greener. We were the first G20 nation to meet our promises from the Paris Agreement on time. We are working to improve current energy solutions while looking at new ideas. Green hydrogen is a great discovery that could help reduce carbon emissions from sectors like refineries, fertilizers, steel production, and heavy transport.”

India’s Global Green Hydrogen Ambition

The Prime Minister also talked about India’s vision of becoming a leader in green hydrogen production and export. In 2023, India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) to achieve this goal. This mission will promote innovation, create jobs, and encourage investment in green hydrogen, making India a key player in this new energy field.

Modi pointed out India’s progress in renewable energy, noting that the country’s non-fossil fuel capacity has grown by nearly 300% in the last decade, while solar power has grown by a staggering 3000%. This shows India’s leadership in renewable energy development.

Government’s Plan for Green Hydrogen

Union Minister Prahlad Venkatesh Joshi also spoke at the event. He shared the government’s strategy to increase renewable energy and support green hydrogen growth. He said India is working hard to become a global leader in green hydrogen under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.

Joshi mentioned that the National Green Hydrogen Mission is expected to bring ₹8 lakh crore in investments and create 6 lakh jobs. This mission will also help India reduce its dependence on imported natural gas and ammonia, saving ₹1 lakh crore. By 2030, it aims to cut carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons (MMT), putting India on the path to becoming a sustainable development leader.

India’s Ambitious Green Hydrogen Goals

Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, talked about India’s ambitious targets for green hydrogen. He shared that India plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2070 and produce 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen by 2030. To achieve this, India will need to invest $100 billion and develop 125 gigawatts of new renewable energy.

This plan will cut 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, and it will reduce the need for imports. Puri also mentioned pilot projects, hydrogen hubs, and research and development initiatives that will drive innovation in green hydrogen.

India’s Green Hydrogen Journey and Future Plans

Bhupinder S. Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, highlighted India’s achievements in renewable energy and its plans for green hydrogen. He explained that green hydrogen, which does not emit carbon dioxide, can be used in many industries. India’s goals align with the Prime Minister’s Panchamrit plan, which includes achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.

Bhalla also discussed the budget for projects in transportation and shipping, creating hydrogen hubs, and research on green hydrogen technology. He shared that India’s hydrogen demand is expected to rise to 29 million metric tons per year by 2050.

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The Role of Research in Green Hydrogen Technology

Prof. Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, explained the importance of research and technology in making green hydrogen affordable and easy to use. He said that continued support for research and development is necessary to fully use the potential of green hydrogen.

India’s Progress Towards a Green Hydrogen Economy

A special video titled “India’s Journey Towards a Green Hydrogen Economy” was shown during the conference, highlighting India’s progress in this field.

The event ended with a vote of thanks from Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. She praised India’s efforts and said, “India is leading the way in green hydrogen. With our natural renewable resources and strong initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, we are ready to become a global leader.”

Conclusion

The International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2024 (ICGH-2024) was organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and EY were the key partners, and FICCI was the industry partner.

India’s leadership in green hydrogen shows a bright future for clean energy, helping both the environment and the economy. With bold initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India is on its way to becoming a global hub for green hydrogen production, use, and export.