Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to creating a cleaner, greener planet, noting that India was among the first G20 nations to fulfill its Paris Agreement commitments on green energy, achieving this milestone nine years ahead of the 2030 target. Over the past decade, India’s non-fossil fuel capacity has increased by nearly 300%, and solar energy capacity has surged by over 3,000%.
The Prime Minister emphasized that India continues to focus on strengthening existing energy solutions while exploring new avenues like Green Hydrogen, which he called a promising addition to the global energy landscape. Green Hydrogen, he noted, has the potential to decarbonize hard-to-electrify industries such as refineries, steel, fertilizers, and heavy-duty transportation. Modi also highlighted its potential as a storage solution for surplus renewable energy.
Discussing the National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in 2023, Modi outlined India’s ambition to become a global hub for the production, utilization, and export of Green Hydrogen. He emphasized the mission’s role in fostering innovation, building infrastructure, and attracting investment. The Prime Minister also noted the need for collaboration between industry, academia, and start-ups, highlighting the potential for green jobs and skill development in this sector.
On the global stage, Modi underscored the importance of international partnerships in scaling up Green Hydrogen production, minimizing costs, and advancing infrastructure development. He reflected on the G20 Summit held in India in September 2023, where Green Hydrogen received significant focus, and mentioned the adoption of five voluntary principles on hydrogen that are helping shape a global roadmap.
Modi encouraged greater global cooperation and called on scientists and innovators to address challenges in the Green Hydrogen sector. He urged the global scientific community to explore improving the efficiency of electrolysers, using seawater and wastewater for hydrogen production, and expanding Green Hydrogen applications in public transport, shipping, and inland waterways.
In his concluding remarks, Modi expressed optimism that collective and innovative solutions could help the world transition to a sustainable future. He called on participants at the conference to work together in accelerating the development and deployment of Green Hydrogen for a greener planet.
