Could India's Green Hydrogen Increase Pollution?

India is targeting to produce 5 million metric tonnes of Green Hydrogen by 2030. This is a laudable goal, as green hydrogen is a clean fuel that has the potential to decarbonize many industries. However, a recent study by Climate Risk Horizons (CRH) has warned that India’s green hydrogen production could worsen pollution if steps are not taken to curb fossil fuel emissions.

How can Green Hydrogen production worsen Pollution?

Green Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable energy sources. However, if the electricity used to produce green hydrogen comes from fossil fuel-powered power plants, then it will increase carbon emissions. Additionally, the production of green hydrogen can also lead to water pollution, if the wastewater from the electrolysis process is not properly treated.

What are the risks of India’s Green Hydrogen production worsening pollution?

India is a heavily coal-dependent country, with coal accounting for over 70% of its electricity generation. If India’s green hydrogen production is powered by coal-fired power plants, then it will increase carbon emissions and worsen air pollution. Additionally, India is already facing a water crisis, and the increased water consumption for green hydrogen production could further exacerbate the water crisis.

What Steps Can Be Taken

There are a number of things that India can do to prevent its green hydrogen production from worsening pollution. These include:

• Ensuring that green hydrogen is powered by 100% renewable energy. This will require India to rapidly increase its renewable energy capacity.
• Developing and implementing efficient water treatment technologies to treat the wastewater from the electrolysis process.
• Siting green hydrogen production facilities in areas with abundant water resources and access to renewable energy.

The Indian government has already taken some steps to promote the production of green hydrogen. For example, the government has launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make India a global leader in green hydrogen production. However, more needs to be done to ensure that India’s green hydrogen production is sustainable and does not worsen pollution.

Conclusion

India’s green hydrogen production has the potential to decarbonize many industries and help the country achieve its climate goals. However, it is important to ensure that green hydrogen is produced in a sustainable way. The Indian government and the private sector need to work together to develop and implement the necessary policies and technologies to ensure that India’s green hydrogen production does not worsen pollution.