In a significant development during the 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024), held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India was announced as the exclusive partner for the upcoming European Hydrogen Week, scheduled for November 2024. The announcement marks a critical step in strengthening India’s commitment to green hydrogen technologies and its global collaboration in sustainable energy efforts.
The conference, which drew over 2,000 delegates, featured pivotal discussions on the challenges and opportunities in the green hydrogen sector. A major highlight was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Chane Terminal from the Netherlands and India’s ACME Cleantech, aimed at setting up ammonia import terminals, furthering India’s green hydrogen infrastructure.
One of the key sessions focused on the European Union’s (EU) role in advancing green hydrogen as a crucial component of global decarbonisation. Chaired by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Power, and Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, the discussion explored the EU’s efforts to reform its Emission Trading System (ETS) to support the expansion of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Pankaj Jain, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in scaling up green hydrogen production, speaking with Dr. Patrick Hartley, leader of Australia’s CSIRO Hydrogen Industry Mission. The discussions emphasised that collaboration between nations, especially with countries like India, is key to advancing the sector, both in terms of technology and workforce development.
A dedicated session on the Netherlands, chaired by Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of India’s Department of Science and Technology, offered insights into the country’s comprehensive strategy to advance hydrogen technologies. Representatives from the Netherlands, including Han Feenstra, Mark-Simon Benjamins, and Ambassador Marisa Gerards, provided a detailed overview of the Netherlands’ contributions to global hydrogen initiatives.
The conference also placed a strong emphasis on youth engagement, with Ajay Yadav, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), addressing the role of the younger generation in shaping India’s green energy future. The Youth Session, featuring Olympian Saina Nehwal, further underscored the responsibility of athletes and leaders to inspire action against climate change. Nehwal delivered a powerful message on the importance of leaving behind a sustainable world for future generations.
A panel of youth leaders, including Shriya Rai, Sailesh Singhal, and others, discussed the significance of green hydrogen in decarbonisation efforts, aligning with India’s ambitious goal to become the third-largest producer of renewable energy by 2030.
One of the event’s standout initiatives was the GH2Thon Hackathon, where Nandlal Gupta from IIT Bombay was named the winner for his innovative solutions in advancing green hydrogen technology. The exhibition area, featuring over 100 stalls, showcased the latest green hydrogen technologies and innovations, drawing participation from industry experts, startups, and policymakers.
In addition to the plenary and youth sessions, the day included country roundtables with Singapore and South Korea, as well as discussions involving the India-US Hydrogen Taskforce. These roundtables fostered deeper international collaborations, focusing on scaling hydrogen technologies worldwide.
The ICGH-2024, organised by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in association with multiple government departments and supported by industry partners such as FICCI, continues to be a significant platform for driving forward green hydrogen technologies. As the conference progresses, it sets the stage for India to play a leading role in the global transition to sustainable energy.
