The Government has unveiled a fresh initiative geared towards advancing the nation’s shift towards green hydrogen, earmarking a significant budget of Rs. 35 crore for period FY 2023-24 to FY 2029-30.
Outlined by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), this scheme harmonises with the National Green Hydrogen Mission and emphasises the importance of skilling, up-skilling, and re-skilling individuals to meet the evolving demands of the green hydrogen sector.
Central to the scheme’s objectives is the conduct of comprehensive skill gap analyses, the establishment of a registry of essential skills, and the development of customised curriculum components for educational institutions catering to diverse segments of the green hydrogen value chain.
Aligned with principles articulated in the official document, including the prioritisation of specialised knowledge in hydrogen technologies and ensuring a fair transition for the workforce, the scheme endeavours to infuse hydrogen technologies into course curricula across educational levels and facilitate the re-skilling of workers.
Under the scheme’s umbrella, various activities are envisaged, encompassing short-term training, up-skilling with recognition of prior learning, the establishment of Centers of Excellence, and curriculum-based long-duration training.
What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 January 2022, with the intended objectives of:
· Making India a leading producer and supplier of Green Hydrogen in the world
· Creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives
· Reduction in dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock
· Development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities
· Attracting investment and business opportunities for the industry
· Creating opportunities for employment and economic development
· Supporting R&D projects
The mission outcomes projected by 2030 are:
· Development of green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country
· Over Rs. Eight lakh crore in total investments
· Creation of over Six lakh jobs
· Cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports over Rs. One lakh crore
· Abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions
