The government may set Green Hydrogen export targets: Niti Aayog Vice Chairman
According to Niti Aayog VC Rajiv Kumar, the move is part of a larger commitment to solar-plus-hydrogen as India’s energy vision, and with it India could finally become an energy-abundant nation and exporter.
Vice Chairman of Niti Aayog, Rajiv Kumar said the government is exploring ways to increase the production and supply of green hydrogen. He further stated that the government is considering setting an export target to that end, which would imply an abundant domestic supply of green hydrogen.
While speaking at an industry event “H2: The Nuts & Bolts” organised by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), he said that the move is part of the larger commitment to solar-plus-hydrogen as India’s energy vision; with it, it could finally become an energy-rich nation and a potential exporter.
“Green hydrogen production currently costs about $4-5 per kg, but if we scale up this can be drastically reduced. Already, some companies have announced plans to slash prices to $1 per kilo. Although we have a long way to go, we will eventually get there,” he said.
Other steps that the government is considering include inducing and incentivizing a shift to green hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors, such as steel and refineries. To reduce emissions in the transportation sector, a major polluter, NITI Aayog is pushing for green hydrogen and electric mobility, he further stated.
With the government, industry, and academia working together, we can realize India’s vision for solar + hydrogen and lower the costs so they can be affordable for everyone,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that even though India makes up 9.9 percent of the global gray hydrogen demand already, this is not the route we should follow. Rather, we should transition toward green hydrogen.
Paolo Frankl, Head of the Renewable Energy Division of the International Energy Agency (IEA), spoke at the same event, saying India – with its capabilities – is set to play a crucial role in doubling the availability of green hydrogen in the next decade. Nevertheless, the entire green hydrogen supply chain, including transport and storage, must be considered.
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