Context:

Recently, The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a call for proposals (CfP) for setting up Centres of Excellence for Research and Development on Green Hydrogen.

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• The objective of the scheme is to establish world-class Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for Green Hydrogen in India to foster innovation and promote sustainability, thereby enhancing energy independence in the long term. 
• these CoEs will accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy by advancing Green Hydrogen production, storage, and utilization technologies.
• The Government has allotted Rs 100 crores for setting up such Centres, under the Green Hydrogen Mission.   

Green Hydrogen 

• The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy defined Green Hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emission (i.e., including water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, drying and compression of hydrogen) of not more than 2 kg CO2 equivalent/kg H2.
• Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power shall be the Nodal Authority for accreditation of agencies for the monitoring, verification and certification of Green Hydrogen production projects.

National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

• India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in January 2023.
• The objective of the Mission is to make India the Global Hub for the production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal body for the mission.
• It will help India achieve the goal of Net Zero emissions by 2070.

Goals of the Mission

• Cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports over Rs. One lakh crore by 2030.
• Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

Other initiatives to boost green hydrogen

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is working to lower the cost of green hydrogen to make it available at the cost levels of grey hydrogen.
• Green hydrogen projects are also exempt from the requirement of prior environmental clearance.