In his Independence Day speech, Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi announced that green hydrogen would help India make a ‘quantum leap’ to energy independence by 2047, suggesting a clear intent for growth in the sector. Modi also expressed an intent to make India ‘a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.’ This is in the backdrop of other regulatory and policy changes that prioritise green hydrogen, such as its possible inclusion in the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) commitments faced by industrial users.
So what?
Although the detail plans for the growth of the green hydrogen industry haven’t been laid out yet, Modi’s announcement signals a strong intent of the government to develop the sector. This will increase investor confidence in green hydrogen. It also reflects the importance that the government seems to assign to energy self-reliance.
Implications on sustainability will also depend on how green hydrogen is adopted (or made to be adopted through government incentives/regulations) by industrial actors, and if existing infrastructures are able to utilise green hydrogen as a fuel source.
Join discussion