New Delhi: Government of India has released guidelines for conducting pilot projects to utilize green hydrogen in the shipping sector. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued these guidelines on 1st February 2024, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
As part of this mission, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy will actively implement pilot projects in the shipping sector to substitute fossil fuels and fossil fuel-based feedstock with Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. These projects will be carried out through the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the designated implementing agencies.
The pilot projects focus on two main areas: retrofitting existing ships to operate on Green Hydrogen or its derivatives, and establishing bunkering and refueling facilities in ports along international shipping lanes for fuels based on Green Hydrogen.
The Scheme will be executed with a total budget of Rs. 115 crores until the financial year 2025-26.
Implementation of the proposed pilot projects, utilizing Green Hydrogen and its derivatives in the shipping sector, will lead to the development of essential infrastructure such as refueling stations, storage, and distribution networks. This will pave the way for establishing a Green Hydrogen ecosystem in the shipping sector. Over time, the use of green hydrogen in the shipping industry is expected to increase, accompanied by a reduction in production costs.
Access to the Scheme Guidelines can be found here.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched on 4th January 2023, with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30. It will contribute to India’s goal to become Aatma Nirbhar through clean energy and serve as an inspiration for the global Clean Energy Transition. The Mission will lead to significant decarbonization of the economy, reduced dependence on fossil fuel imports, and enable India to assume technology and market leadership in Green Hydrogen.