Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently introduced Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards to accelerate the adoption of green hydrogen derivatives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
These standards aim to
- Define emission thresholds and eligibility conditions for ammonia and methanol to be classified as “green”, meaning they are produced using Green Hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources.
- Position India as a global hub for producing and exporting sustainable fuels.
Key aspects of the standards include:
| Standard | Definition / Emission Criteria | Calculation Period | Additional Provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Ammonia | Green Ammonia must have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions ≤ 0.38 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of ammonia (kg CO₂ eq/kg NH₃). | Calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period | – |
| Emissions include those arising from Green Hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, purification, compression, and on-site storage. | |||
| Green Methanol | Green Methanol must have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions ≤ 0.44 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of methanol (kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH). Emissions include those arising from Green Hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification, and on-site storage. | Calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period | CO₂ for production may be sourced from: Biogenic sources Direct Air Capture (DAC) Existing industrial sources. MNRE may revise eligible CO₂ sources in the future, with revisions applied prospectively along with grandfathering provisions. |
Renewable Energy Definition in Production: For green ammonia and methanol production, renewable energy may include:
- Direct electricity from renewable sources
- Electricity stored in energy storage systems
- Renewable electricity banked with the grid, in accordance with regulations.
Monitoring and Certification Framework: MRNE to ensure compliance with the green standards will separately issue detailed guidelines for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification and certification.
Significance of the Standards
- Regulatory Clarity: Provide clear definitions and emission thresholds for green hydrogen derivatives.
- Boost to Green Fuel Economy: Support decarbonisation of key sectors including fertilizers, shipping, power generation and heavy industries.
- Support for Export Markets: Enhance international credibility of Indian green hydrogen developers who are targeting global markets
- Strengthening Hydrogen Ecosystem: Reinforce India’s regulatory framework under the NGHM.