Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday underlined India's aspiration to be a global hub for green hydrogen production and urged the international community to cooperate in the promotion of the clean fuel.
Addressing virtually the 'Second International Conference on Green Hydrogen', PM Modi said that green hydrogen has the potential to play a major role in decarbonising industries while its use will help solve energy storage-related problems.
Green hydrogen will help in the decarbonisation of hard-to-electrify industries, such as refineries, fertilizers, steel, and heavy-duty transport, said PM Modi.
He further added that India started the 'National Green Hydrogen Mission' in 2023 with the purpose of driving this energy transition forward.
PM Modi spoke on growing concerns with regard to climate change and emphasized its impact was no longer an issue in the future but an ongoing challenge.
This is a very critical transition phase of the world, and now it's time to act," he said, adding energy transition and sustainability have acquired center stage in global policy discourse.
India, which has emerged as a leader in clean energy, attained its targets under the Paris Agreement nine years ahead of target in 2030.
PM Modi also underlined that India's installed non-fossil fuel capacity has jumped nearly 300 per cent in the last decade, while its solar energy capacity has seen an over 3,000 per cent rise.
However, he emphasized that India is not sleeping on its laurels now, as the country is steadfast in new and different energy solutions.
"The 'National Green Hydrogen Mission' is driving innovation, infrastructure, industry and investment," he added.
He added that the government was promoting partnerships between industries and academia, encouraging startups, and fostering entrepreneurship in the green hydrogen sector.
PM Modi also said there is a lot of potential in the creation of jobs in this emerging green ecosystem, which would especially employ the youth.
"We are also working on the skill development of our youth in this sector," he added.
PM Modi highlighted that climate change and energy transition are global issues and require an international approach towards green hydrogen.
"Scaling up production, reducing cost and building infrastructure can be achieved provided the world comes together," he added while noting that global collaboration is required for research and innovation development, and technology development with respect to green hydrogen.
During the G20 Summit in India last September 2023, the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted five high-level voluntary principles on hydrogen. The principles guide the development of common global roadmaps on the development of green hydrogen.
PM Modi also called upon the scientific community to deliberate on how to enhance efficiency in green hydrogen production.
He called upon experts to recommend areas of policy change and research related to improvement in electrolyser efficiency, extraction of seawater and municipal waste for hydrogen production, and green hydrogen application in public transport, shipping, and inland waterways.
"Deliberations upon such topics jointly will considerably help in green energy transition across the world," said the PM.
He concluded saying, "Humanity has faced many challenges, and we have always overcome them through collective and innovative solutions.
We can do anything if we are together. Let us strive to accelerate the development and deployment of green hydrogen," he added.
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