Context:
Rs 17,490 crore has been set aside for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, to bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing, green hydrogen production.
Relevance:
GS III: Infrastructure
Dimensions of the Article:
- Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
- What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
- What is Green hydrogen?
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
- Subcomponent of National Green Hydrogen Mission: The SIGHT Programme operates as a vital subcomponent of the broader National Green Hydrogen Mission in India.
- Objective: The primary aim is to strengthen the domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and enhance green hydrogen production capacity within the country.
Financial Incentives:
- Two Incentive Mechanisms: In its initial stage, the SIGHT Programme proposes two distinct financial incentive mechanisms.
- Incentive for Electrolyser Manufacturing: This incentive is designed to boost the manufacturing of electrolysers within the country.
- Incentive for Green Hydrogen Production: The second mechanism focuses on providing incentives for the actual production of green hydrogen.
- Financial Outlay: The programme is allocated a substantial outlay of ₹17,490 crore up to the fiscal year 2029-30.
Evolution of Incentive Schemes:
- Adaptability: Recognizing the dynamic nature of markets and technology advancements, the SIGHT Programme emphasizes the continuous evolution of specific incentive schemes and programs. These adaptations will align with the progress and changing landscape of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Implementation:
- Implementing Agency: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has been designated as the implementing agency responsible for executing the SIGHT Programme. SECI’s role encompasses overseeing the effective implementation and realization of the mission’s objectives.
What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
- The intent of the mission is to incentivise the commercial production of green hydrogen and make India a net exporter of the fuel.
- The mission has laid out a target to develop green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum.
- This is alongside adding renewable energy capacity of about 125 GW (gigawatt) in the country.
- This will entail the decarbonisation of the industrial, mobility and energy sectors; reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock; developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities; creating employment opportunities; and developing new technologies such as efficient fuel cells.
- By 2030, the Centre hopes its investments will bring in investments worth ₹8 trillion and create over six lakh jobs. Moreover, about 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted by 2030.
- As per its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, India has committed to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 levels.
Advantages:
- The National Green Hydrogen Mission will make India a leading producer and supplier of Green Hydrogen in the world.
- It would result in attractive investment and business opportunities for the industry.
- Will contribute significantly to India’s efforts for decarbonization and energy independence.
- Will create opportunities for employment and economic development.
- The Mission will drive the development of the Green Hydrogen ecosystem in the country.
- The targeted production capacity will bring over ₹8 lakh crore in total investments and will result in creation of over 6 lakh clean jobs.
- The Mission will support pilot projects in other hard-to-abate sectors.
- The Mission will also support R&D projects.
What is Green hydrogen?
- A colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic and highly combustible gaseous substance, hydrogen is the lightest, simplest and most abundant member of the family of chemical elements in the universe.
- But a colour — green — prefixed to it makes hydrogen the “fuel of the future”.
- The ‘green’ depends on how the electricity is generated to obtain the hydrogen, which does not emit greenhouse gas when burned.
- Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind or hydel power.
- Hydrogen can be ‘grey’ and ‘blue’ too.
- Grey hydrogen is generated through fossil fuels such as coal and gas and currently accounts for 95% of the total production in South Asia.
- Blue hydrogen, too, is produced using electricity generated by burning fossil fuels but with technologies to prevent the carbon released in the process from entering the atmosphere.
Green Hydrogen Importance
- Hydrogen is being used across the United States, Russia, China, France and Germany. Countries like Japan desire to become a hydrogen economy in future.
- Green hydrogen can in future be used for
- Electricity and drinking water generation, energy storage, transportation etc.
- Green hydrogen can be used to provide water to the crew members in space stations.
- Energy storage- Compressed hydrogen tanks can store the energy longer and are easier to handle than lithium-ion batteries as they are lighter.
- Transport and mobility- Hydrogen can be used in heavy transport, aviation and maritime transport.
-Source: Down To Earth
