New Delhi: The outlook for green hydrogen by 2030 remains uncertain, but the sector has significant long-term growth potential as countries seek greater energy security and look to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, DMR Panda, Executive Director-Hydrogen at NTPC, said, according to ANI.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of S&P Global’s Horizons Clean Energy Expansion India Conference, Panda said the near-term prospects of the green hydrogen industry up to 2030 were difficult to assess, while the longer-term demand outlook remained strong.
“2030 may not be very bright or very apparent now, but everybody is sure about what will happen after 10 years,” he said, pointing to growing concerns over energy security and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Panda also said India has the potential to become a major exporter of green hydrogen because of its access to renewable energy resources, fresh water and a long coastline.
“We have fresh water, we have enough sea coast, lot of sea water, we have enough sunshine,” he said, adding that the key challenge was to bring these resources together to produce hydrogen and replace fossil fuels.
He identified Japan and the European Union as potential export markets, particularly because some countries have limited access to resources needed for large-scale green hydrogen production.
“Those countries who don’t have enough fresh water or sunshine, they need it like Japan or European Union. That is why there is enough export potential,” Panda said.
On efforts to develop India as a global green hydrogen hub, he said the National Green Hydrogen Mission was providing policy support at the Centre, while State governments were also helping projects through infrastructure and regulatory support.
Panda cited NTPC’s hydrogen hub project in Andhra Pradesh as an example, saying the State government was supporting the project in several areas, including infrastructure development, land availability and regulatory approvals.
He said the State government was also supporting the project by facilitating the development of infrastructure such as a private jetty, securing necessary permissions and making land available for renewable energy generation.
Panda said cooperation between the Centre and State governments would be important for the continued development of India’s green hydrogen industry.
