Gujarat to become India's Green Hydrogen Hub

Gujarat is one of the most industrialized states in India with a massive chemical and oil refining industry. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Gujarat will be one of the leading beneficiaries in the move toward the Green Hydrogen economy. The Gujarat government wants to leverage the Indian government’s push through the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Also, read Establishing A Green Hydrogen Infrastructure in India – Finance and Usage

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Indian government had launched the Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. It is a clean and sustainable fuel that has the potential to decarbonize a wide range of industries, including transportation, steel, and chemicals.

The NGHM aims to achieve the following objectives:

• Make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.
• Reduce India’s reliance on fossil fuels.
• Decarbonize the Indian economy.
• Create jobs and boost the Indian economy.

The mission aims to achieve the following targets by 2030:

• 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen production capacity.
• 10% of the total hydrogen demand in India is to be met by green hydrogen.
• Green hydrogen is used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, steel, and chemicals.

One of the ways to accelerate the move toward Green Hydrogen is by creating clusters for GH just like that for electronics and other clusters

What are Green Hydrogen Clusters/Hubs/Valleys

A green hydrogen cluster is a geographic area where there is a concentration of green hydrogen production, storage, and use. Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. It is a clean and sustainable fuel that has the potential to decarbonize a wide range of industries, including transportation, steel, and chemicals.

Green hydrogen clusters can help to reduce the cost of producing and using green hydrogen by creating economies of scale. They can also help to improve the efficiency of the green hydrogen supply chain by making it easier to transport and distribute hydrogen.

Green hydrogen clusters are being developed in a number of countries around the world. Some of the most notable green hydrogen clusters include:

• The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands
• The Humber region in the United Kingdom
• The Ulsan region in South Korea
• The California Hydrogen Hub in the United States

The Indian government is also promoting The Green Hydrogen Valley Policy to promote the development of green hydrogen valleys in India. The policy was launched in 2022 with the goal of making India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.

The Green Hydrogen Valley Policy will be implemented through a number of initiatives, including:

• Providing financial incentives to companies that develop green hydrogen valleys.
• Developing a national hydrogen infrastructure.
• Promoting the use of green hydrogen in a wide range of applications.

What is Gujarat doing now?

Gujarat is set to become India’s green hydrogen hub, with the state government announcing plans to invest ?8-10 lakh crore in the development of the sector. The hub will be developed in partnership with the National Hydrogen Energy Authority (NHEA).

The Gujarat government has identified several key areas for the development of the green hydrogen hub, including:

• Production: The state will set up electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen. Electrolyzers use renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• Storage: The state will develop storage facilities for green hydrogen. This will help to ensure a reliable supply of hydrogen to meet demand.
• Transport: The state will develop a network of pipelines and trucks to transport green hydrogen. This will make it easier to distribute hydrogen to users.
• Applications: The state will promote the use of green hydrogen in a wide range of applications, including transportation, steel, and chemicals.

The development of a green hydrogen hub in Gujarat has the potential to create thousands of jobs and boost the state’s economy. It will also help India to achieve its climate goals and build a clean energy future.

The state government has taken a number of initiatives to promote the development of the green hydrogen sector, including:

• Announcing a Green Hydrogen Policy in 2022: The policy provides a number of incentives to companies that set up green hydrogen production facilities in Gujarat, including a capital subsidy of up to 25%, a 5-year tax holiday, and a waiver of stamp duty.
• Allocating land for green hydrogen projects: The state government has allocated over 1,99,000 hectares of land for green hydrogen projects in Kutch and Banaskantha districts.
• Promoting public-private partnerships: The state government is encouraging public-private partnerships to develop green hydrogen projects.
• Investing in research and development: The state government is investing in research and development to improve the efficiency of green hydrogen production and to develop new applications for green hydrogen.

These initiatives have helped to attract a number of major companies to Gujarat, including Reliance Industries, Adani Group, and Grasim Industries. These companies are investing billions of dollars in green hydrogen projects in Gujarat, which are expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the state’s economy.

Gujarat is well-positioned to become a major hub for green hydrogen production in India. The state has abundant renewable energy resources, including solar and wind power, which can be used to produce green hydrogen. The state also has a skilled workforce and a strong infrastructure, which can support the development of the green hydrogen sector.