Gujarat Leads the Green Hydrogen Revolution: A Powerful Step Towards a Greener Future
At RE-INVEST 2024, Gujarat showcased its leadership in renewable energy, with a focus on green hydrogen. The CEO Roundtable discussed accelerating green hydrogen production and job creation. Gujarat aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen, supported by its strong renewable infrastructure, strategic policies, and collaborations under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, targeting 3 MMTPA production by 2030.
Mumbai, September 17, 2024 — The 4th Global Renewable Energy Investors’ Meet and Expo (RE-INVEST 2024) was organized by the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and took place from September 16–18, 2024, at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. Global professionals in the renewable energy sector convened for this esteemed event to deliberate and expedite breakthroughs, particularly in the field of green hydrogen—a critical area of concentration for India’s sustainable future.
The CEO Roundtable on “Accelerating Green Hydrogen Production through Green Jobs in Gujarat” was one of the most noteworthy sessions of RE-INVEST 2024. In keeping with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, this session on September 16th showed Gujarat’s dedication to being a global leader in the generation of green hydrogen.
Gujarat’s Leadership in Renewable Energy
Gujarat has always been at the forefront of India’s transition to renewable energy. With its enormous potential for solar and wind energy, the state has established a solid basis. In terms of the nation’s capacity for renewable energy, it is now among the top states. Gujarat is a leader in renewable energy programs, with 14 GW of solar power, including 4 GW from rooftop solar, and over 12 GW of wind power. Significant investments have been drawn to the sector by its renewable energy policies, especially the Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy 2023, which is driving innovation and growth.
Gujarat is not done with its efforts yet. By 2030, the state wants to have 100 GW of renewable energy capacity, and by that year, it wants to have 50% of its electricity come from renewable sources. In addition to conventional renewables, offshore wind, wind-solar hybrid projects, and energy storage technologies are prioritized to guarantee power around the clock.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission
The National Green Hydrogen Mission of India seeks to establish the nation as a leader in the generation of green hydrogen worldwide. Green hydrogen is produced by utilizing sustainable and clean energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to replace fossil fuels. Gujarat’s abundance of renewable resources and industrial capacity position it to play a key role in this mission.
As a key participant in India’s hydrogen revolution, the state aims to produce 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of green hydrogen. With Gujarat serving as a key hub for these advancements, the government is collaborating closely with entrepreneurs and experts in the industry to build the infrastructure required for the generation of green hydrogen.
CEO Roundtable Highlights
Shri S J Haider, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat, chaired the CEO Roundtable on green hydrogen. The main topic of discussion was Gujarat’s plan to increase the generation of green hydrogen while generating new employment opportunities in the renewable energy industry.
In the course of the meeting, Shri Haider reiterated Gujarat’s resolve to push its green hydrogen initiative. He stressed how the state is positioned to be a pioneer in the production of green hydrogen due to its strategic advantages, which include its great potential for renewable energy, dedicated transmission routes, and the availability of huge land parcels. An informative video presentation highlighted the state’s efforts in this regard.
“Gujarat is determined to lead the green hydrogen revolution in India,” stated Shri Haider. To work with business leaders and meet our challenging goals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, we needed to have this CEO Roundtable. Our goal is to establish Gujarat as a worldwide center for the production and export of green hydrogen by utilizing our advantages in renewable energy.
Industry participation and Discussions
The Green Hydrogen Organization’s Director, Mr. Nishaanth Balashanmugam, chaired a roundtable discussion that included business executives from ReNew, Hygenco, Goenka Group, and KPMG. These specialists offered insightful commentary on the financial feasibility of green hydrogen, pricing issues, the advantages of industrial clusters, and the practical difficulties associated with transporting hydrogen.
Newtrace and Ossus Biorenewables, two creative startups, took part in the conversations as well. They discussed their ground-breaking concepts for creating green hydrogen from biomass and wastewater. These entrepreneurs brought new insights to the discussion by emphasizing the need for affordable and environmentally friendly solutions to scale up the production of green hydrogen.
Gujarat’s Strategic Advantages
Gujarat’s strong infrastructure for renewable energy is one of its greatest advantages in the manufacturing of green hydrogen. The state is ideally situated for the large-scale production of green hydrogen due to its enormous potential for renewable energy. Important elements of the state’s renewable energy policy are also its offshore wind projects and wind-solar hybrid systems. Gujarat intends to launch a 500 MW offshore wind project in Phase I with funding from the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) grant of the central government.
Furthermore, Gujarat has the potential for 30 GW of pumped hydro projects, and new PSP (Pumped Storage Project) policies are expected to be enacted shortly. The state’s capability for renewable energy and green hydrogen is expected to be considerably enhanced by these activities.
Green Jobs and Skill Development
The CEO Roundtable placed a lot of emphasis on developing the skills required for the green hydrogen industry and creating green jobs. Government representatives and business executives talked about how government, business, and academic institutions should work together to develop a workforce that can fulfill future demands. Gujarat hopes to support the global green hydrogen ecosystem and develop local talent by creating new job possibilities.
Commitment to Collaboration
During his final speech, Shri Haider reaffirmed Gujarat’s government’s commitment to the green hydrogen initiative. He gave entrepreneurs and business leaders the assurance that the state would seriously consider their recommendations, emphasizing teamwork to promote innovation, output, and employment development in the green hydrogen industry.
Gujarat’s expertise in clean energy solutions and willingness to support India’s green hydrogen ambitions were highlighted during the CEO Roundtable. Gujarat has established business collaborations and government assistance, positioning it to spearhead the creation of a sustainable future driven by green hydrogen.
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