The Government of India is set to organize the highly anticipated International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2023) from July 5th to July 7th, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The conference aims to bring together leading scientific and industrial experts from around the world to discuss recent advancements and emerging technologies in the green hydrogen sector. By fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the event seeks to establish a robust green hydrogen ecosystem and drive systemic approaches to achieve global decarbonization goals.
Organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in partnership with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the conference will feature plenary talks, expert panel discussions, technical deliberations, and demonstrations of prototypes by public sector undertakings, private companies, and startups.
The primary focus of ICGH-2023 is to explore strategies for establishing a comprehensive green hydrogen value chain, encompassing production, storage, distribution, and downstream applications. Additionally, the conference will delve into critical topics such as green financing, human resource upskilling, and startup initiatives. By examining international best practices, the event aims to accelerate progress in the sector and learn from global experiences.
During the curtain raiser press conference, Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in every aspect of the green hydrogen value chain. He highlighted the need for technological advancements, particularly in electrolyser manufacturing, to achieve the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s target of producing 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030. Bhalla expressed the government’s commitment to creating a platform for experts to discuss and collaborate on various steps of the value chain, including production, marketing, and collaborations.
Notably, India has already witnessed significant interest from the industry, with approximately 48 publicly announced projects on green hydrogen and green ammonia. These projects collectively aim to produce around 3.5 million metric tons per annum of green hydrogen, showcasing the strong traction and enthusiasm surrounding green hydrogen opportunities.
In addition to fostering collaboration and innovation, the conference will address the development of standards and regulations necessary for the green hydrogen industry. A Working Group on Standards for Green Hydrogen Manufacturing has already submitted a comprehensive report with approximately 100 recommendations to the Bureau of Indian Standards and other relevant organizations.
Bhalla emphasized the need for a standardized definition of green hydrogen, as the industry lacks consensus on its meaning. He expressed the hope that the conference would contribute to the evolution of global standards for green hydrogen, allowing for effective evaluation and adoption of this clean energy source worldwide.
The three-day conference will host over 1,500 delegates from India and abroad, including representatives from the industry and research communities. It will feature more than 25 deep-dive sessions, offering insights into establishing a green hydrogen ecosystem. Furthermore, attendees will have the opportunity to hear regional perspectives from the Americas, Australia, Africa, Europe, and India.
Addressing the funding requirements for green hydrogen, Bhalla highlighted the need for approximately ₹8 lakh crores of investment under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The government is engaging with banking institutions, the private sector, and other stakeholders to secure financing and support the growth of the sector.
Furthermore, the government is collaborating with states to develop green hydrogen hubs, which facilitate the close proximity of production and consumption. Green hydrogen hubs near ports will primarily cater to export-oriented production capacities. The Ministry of Shipping is actively involved in exploring the establishment of green hydrogen hubs at major ports, while the private sector is encouraged to initiate additional hubs based on industry-driven initiatives.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched on January 4th, 2023, is a critical component of India’s decarbonization strategy. With a strong emphasis on research and development, the mission aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, utilization, and export. By incentivizing private investment, promoting technology development, establishing regulatory frameworks, and driving cost reduction, India aims to lead the global transition towards a cleaner and greener future.
As the world looks to combat climate change and achieve net-zero emissions, the International Conference on Green Hydrogen in New Delhi serves as a significant milestone, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise that will shape the future of the green hydrogen industry.
