With its Robust Policies Affecting Change, India Can Lead the Way into a Clean Energy Future

The plan to meet 50 percent of energy needs with renewable sources by 2030 would pave the way for a future aspiration to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. It is setting the bar for a cutting-edge approach to economic growth that might forgo the carbon-intensive strategies many nations have historically adopted and serves as a model for other developing markets.

July 14, 2023. By News Bureau

Increasing earnings and higher living standards have made India the third-largest energy consumer in the world. Since 2000, India’s dependence on coal, oil and solid biomass as primary feedstock has risen to 80 percent, though the recent efforts from the government are focused on creating a renewables-oriented future. The majority of the country's energy is produced from fossil fuels, and more than 59 percent of its installed capacity comes from coal, lignite, gas and diesel sources.
 
India’s growing economy aims towards driving down CO2 emissions while coal and traditional energy generation methods are responsible for a significant portion of this pollution.
 
The plan to meet 50 percent of energy needs with renewable sources by 2030 would pave the way for a future aspiration to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. It is setting the bar for a cutting-edge approach to economic growth that might forgo the carbon-intensive strategies many nations have historically adopted and serves as a model for other developing markets. To attain the short-term goal of a clean energy future for the country, a move to alternatives is required. The need for increased accountability for energy use and the probable depletion of non-renewable resources, as a result, has emerged as the central idea.

Progress towards achieving a net-zero target

Given that its potential for renewable energy has increased by more than 250 percent since 2014, India has already increased its efforts to reach the objective. 40 percent of the nation's electricity capacity is being produced from non-fossil fuels thanks to a rise in solar and wind energy. The Indian government aims to install 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non–fossil resources by 2030. In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal for the country to achieve energy independence, or ‘Aatmanirbharta’ the nation is setting the standard for new renewable economic growth strategies.

Adoption of green hydrogen in renewable energy

In recent years, India has emerged as a leader in energy transition and the adoption of green hydrogen is expected to be the movement's driving force. The rollout of the National Hydrogen Mission marks the nation's first significant move towards the adoption of green hydrogen. The government aims to turn India into a major hub for the production and export of environment-friendly hydrogen. India has a particular edge over other countries in terms of low-cost renewable electricity, and this advantage can make green hydrogen more affordable than fossil-fuel-based hydrogen. Increasingly, green hydrogen production would happen closer to points of consumption, while renewable energy, which renders the hydrogen green, shall be harnessed in the best-suited sites.
 
Electrolyzers, which use electricity to split water into its constituents – hydrogen and oxygen – are pivotal to the hydrogen generation value-chain. Currently, India’s electrolyser manufacturing ecosystem is at a nascent stage. The government has also acknowledged the need for improving electrolyser technology to make them more efficient and economical. According to Niti Aayog, there is a promising demand for electrolyser as the capacity demand is expected to grow by 20 GW by 2030 and 226 GW by 2050. Additionally, the competitiveness of low-carbon products with embedded hydrogen such as green steel and ammonia will create export opportunities for India.  

The price of renewable energy, particularly solar energy has decreased to the point that it is less expensive than coal-fired power. As India also has climatic conditions that favour solar and wind, the country can use this as an opportunity for manufacturing green hydrogen. Developed countries such as the European Union are planning to import a large bulk of green hydrogen, even though technology is still in its infancy and the costs are relatively high. Countries like Japan, and South Korea are also keen on imports and this can put India at an advantage due to lower transportation costs.

Green hydrogen is expected to play a prominent role in decarbonising heavy industries including oil refineries, steel mills and fertiliser plants. However, energy colonisation is the drawback of a developing global hydrogen economy and remains a challenge. To achieve India’s vision of energy independence by 2047, the reliance on green hydrogen as a solution will be critical.

The way ahead for clean energy

According to experts, green hydrogen will function as a disruptive force in the carbon-intensive industrial sector and set the pace for India's transition to a renewable energy source. It will be crucial to reaching India's net zero emission goals. Without a doubt, Indian businesses are working hard to build up the local sector by utilising the financial clout of large Indian businesses and the technological know-how of the West.

Green hydrogen, supported by proactive collaboration between inventors, entrepreneurs, and the government, can considerably aid India in tackling climate change. Additionally, it can assist India in exporting high-value green goods, turning it into one of the first economies to industrialise without ‘carbonising’.

- Raghunath K, Country Representative, Regional Platform Asia Pacific Africa (APA), thyssenkrupp India
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