India Pavillion spotlights country's green hydrogen progress at WHS 2024

India has set up its own pavilion, at the World Hydrogen Summit 2024, being held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from May 13 – 15, the government's Press Information Bureau announced.

The India Pavilion, set up by the Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, was inaugurated by Shri Bhupinder S. Bhalla, Secretary MNRE, on May 12.

The India Pavilion is one of the largest pavilions at the summit, and provides the country an opportunity to showcase its progress in the field of green hydrogen to the world. The World Hydrogen Summit is expected to attract around 15,000 delegates from around the world who would also see the national pavilion.

India's delegation to the summit comprises nominees from MNRE, as well as the Department of Science & Technology, the Union Ministry of Railways, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and executives from the private sector.

India launched its National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 with an overall outlay of ₹19,744 crore.

The country aims to achieve green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million tonnes by end of 2030. As on date, MNRE has awarded tenders for setting up of 412,000 tonnes of green hydrogen production capacity and 1,500 MW of electrolyzer manufacturing capacity. 

Earlier this year, public sector power company THDC India Ltd inaugurated the country's largest green hydrogen pilot project at its office complex in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, with capacity to produce 50 kg of green hydrogen every day, using energy from a 1 MW rooftop solar plant.

India has also notified scheme guidelines for use of green hydrogen in the country's steel, transport / mobility and shipping sectors, with Union roads minister Nitin Gadkari saying transportation was responsible for around 40 percent of the country's total CO2 emissions.

The Department of Science & Technology has initiated Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters to foster innovation and promote the green hydrogen ecosystem in India.

The country has also launched a dedicated portal (https://nghm.mnre.gov.in/) for the National Green Hydrogen Mission to serve as a one-stop shop for information on the mission and steps taken for the development of the green hydrogen ecosystem in India.