On Saturday, the central government announced Green Hydrogen standards, which defined electrolysis and biomass-based processes. India became one of the few countries to have a definition for green hydrogen.

According to a statement from the New and Renewable Energy Ministry, the government has notified the Green Hydrogen Standard for India, which is a significant development for the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

“After discussions with multiple stakeholders, the ministry has decided to define green hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emission of not more than two kg carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per kg hydrogen (H2),” the ministry said in a statement.

The standards issued by the ministry outline the emission thresholds that must be met in order for hydrogen produced to be classified as Green', i.e., from renewable sources.

The definition's scope encompasses electrolysis-based and biomass-based hydrogen production methods, it stated.

The notification specifies that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will specify a detailed methodology for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

The notification further states that the Ministry of Power's Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) would serve as the central authority for accrediting organizations to monitor, verify, and certify green hydrogen production projects.

The notification of the Green Hydrogen Standard brings a lot of clarity to the Green Hydrogen community in India and was widely awaited, it stated.

The government launched National Green Hydrogen Mission early this year with an aim to produce 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) green hydrogen per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity of about 125 gigawatt (GW) by 2030.

The mission has an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore up to 2029-30. With an investment of Rs 17,490 crore, the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme is a significant financial measure within the mission.

The initiative suggests two financial incentive schemes to encourage domestic electrolyser and green hydrogen production. These incentives promote cost-cutting, technology development, and speedy scale-up.

Image source: PTI