Green Hydrogen Mission to boost ethanol and bio-gas production

By 2030, the National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually (MMTPA).

Presently, the nation produces very little green hydrogen as part of pilot and R&D projects. About 235.4 tonnes of hydrogen can be produced annually from renewable sources.

About 1037 crore liters of ethanol are currently produced annually in the nation. According to the NITI Aayog’s Roadmap, which is based on the anticipated sales of Motor Spirit (MS), the estimated amount of ethanol needed for blending with gasoline is 542 billion liters for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2022–2023, 698 crore liters for ESY 2023–2024, 988 crore liters for ESY 2024–25, and 1016 crore liters for ESY 2025–26.

Since the country only produces green hydrogen on a small scale for research and development and pilot projects, there are currently no substantial savings in foreign currency or job creation from green hydrogen. By 2030, the National Green Hydrogen Mission hopes to generate approximately 6 lakh employment and save about 1 lakh crore on imports.

In India, the biogas industry created 85,000 jobs, according to the “Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2022” published by International IRENA.

In India, including the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the following programs are being undertaken to produce ethanol and biogas: Ethanol Blending Programme; Programme on Energy from Urban, Industrial, and Agricultural Waste; National Bioenergy Programme; Sustainable Alternatives Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Programme.

A further component of Madhya Pradesh’s Renewable Energy Policy 2022, according to the state’s government, encourages the generation of hydrogen as well as any other type of energy project that is registered under the policy.