The India–UK Conference on Green Hydrogen Standards and Safety Protocols was convened recently in New Delhi, to strengthen cooperation on the safe deployment of green hydrogen under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Organisers
It was organized by the National Centre for Hydrogen Safety (NCHS), established under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to support the National Green Hydrogen Mission, in collaboration with the British High Commission in India and WRI India.
It featured key discussions on regulatory frameworks, international standards, and safety protocols across the green hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation, and end-use applications.
What is Green Hydrogen?
Green Hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power, instead of fossil fuels.
It is produced through the electrolysis process, where:
- Water is split into hydrogen and oxygen.
- Electricity generated from renewable sources powers the electrolysis process.
According to standards notified by the Government of India, hydrogen is classified as “green” if the total emissions from its production process do not exceed 2 kg of CO₂ equivalent per 1 kg of hydrogen produced.
Green hydrogen can also be produced by converting biomass (e.g., agricultural waste) into hydrogen, provided the emissions remain within the same threshold.
About National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)
| Component | Details |
| Launch | 2023 |
| Objective | To build the ecosystem required for India to become a global hub for production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen |
| Total Financial Outlay | ₹19,744 crore |
| Implementation Period | Up to FY 2029–30 |
| Key Targets by 2030 | • Development of 125 GW renewable energy capacity dedicated to green hydrogen production • Mobilisation of ₹8 lakh crore investments • Creation of over 6 lakh jobs • Reduction of fossil fuel imports worth over ₹1 lakh crore • Avoidance of nearly 50 MMT greenhouse gas emissions annually |
| Key Pillars of the Mission | 1. Policy and Regulatory Framework 2. Demand Creation 3. Research, Development and Innovation 4. Enabling Infrastructure and Ecosystem Development |
| Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) | Programme providing financial incentives to promote: • Manufacturing of electrolysers • Production of green hydrogen Allocation: ₹17,490 crore (till 2029–30) |
| Development of Green Hydrogen Hubs | Identified in October 2025 by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Ports selected: • Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat) • V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu) • Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) These will act as integrated centres for production, consumption and export of hydrogen |
| Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) | Launched April 2025 to establish a national framework to certify hydrogen as “green.” |
| GHCI Key Features | • Measures GHG emissions across the production cycle • Ensures transparency, traceability and credibility |
| GHCI Certification Requirement | Final certificate mandatory for: • Facilities receiving government subsidies/incentives • Hydrogen sold or used domestically in India |
| Nodal Authority for Certification | Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) – accredits certification agencies |
| Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP) | Initiative promoting public–private partnerships in hydrogen R&D |
| SHIP Objectives | • Develop advanced hydrogen technologies • Promote collaborative research between industry, academia and government institutions |
| Key Research Institutions Involved | • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) • Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) • Indian Institute of Science (IISc) |
| R&D Support under NGHM | ₹400 crore programme supporting 23 advanced research projects |
| R&D Focus Areas | • Hydrogen production technologies • Storage systems • Safety mechanisms • Industrial applications |