Maharashtra Government is in the process of formulation of Green Hydrogen Policy and is looking forward for collaboration in the segment. As part of exploring opportunities for co-operation in the segment, Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) recently made a presentation before the Norway Consulate delegation led by Arne Jan Flolo, Consul General. Maharashtra is formulating Green Hydrogen Policy for which MEDA has conducted stakeholder consultation.

 

“The draft of the Green Hydrogen Policy is submitted to Energy Department, Government of Maharashtra. Besides, MEDA is facilitating Knowledge Partnership programme with reputed technological institute in Maharashtra. Also, it is facilitating formation of Green Hydrogen cluster in Maharashtra, which may be spread to various parts including Vidarbha,” said a source familiar with the development. Against the backdrop of these developments, recently a delegation of Norwegian Consulate led by Arne Jan Flolo, Consul General, visited MEDA headquarters at Aundh in Pune and held discussion on the matter for collaboration on new and innovative technology with Norway Government/firms. MEDA officials made a presentation before Norwegian Consulate delegation headed by Arne Jan Flolo, Consul General, along with Kanchan Bharat Ingle from Interpolity Commerce.

 

Ravindra Jagtap, Director General, MEDA; Pankaj Tagalpallewar, Additional Director General; Vijay Kote, Deputy Director (Accounts); all General Managers and other officials of MEDA were present on the occasion. Jagtap welcomed the delegation. Anand Raidurg, General Manager (Project), presented technology-wise Renewable Energy (RE) development in Maharashtra and initiatives taken by MEDA for research and development activities. MEDA officials informed the visiting delegation that already the process of establishment of innovation-based demonstrative renewable energy projects in Maharashtra was on.

 

These projects include renewable energy-based electric vehicle smart charging station, Green Hydrogen and power generation from waste biomass and refused derived fuel, municipal waste, oxy-steam biomass gasification. These projects are in process with the help of the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai. Besides, in collaboration with Nagpurbased Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (LIT), investigtion is in progress on enhancement in electrical performance of solar photovoltaix system using nano-fluids. The Consul General of Norway is said to have acknowledged renewable energy development in Maharashtra. According to sources, the Consul General expressed his desire to ‘collaborate’ with Government of Maharashtra and MEDA ‘for further exchange of technology and ‘Knowledge Partnership’ on Green Hydrogen Development, offshore wind, floating solar’ etc. As one of the world’s largest energy exporters, he said, Norway advances the energy security of consuming countries. While reiterating Norway’s commitment to environmental sustainability and climate policy, Flolo said that Norway was keen on on India-Norway Energy Co-operation. He is said to have promised to bring a delegation of Norwegian companies to Maharashtra compliment MEDA’s pressing issues in energy segment. Further, he said that Norway Government had introduced $10 Billion Climate Investment Fund towards climate change mitigation, which it would invest in developing countries like India to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, partly by investing in projects withemissions reduction in Indiaand abroad.

 

 

GREEN Hydrogen is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy. The carbon intensity ultimately depends on carbon neutrality of the source of electricity. In simple terms, more the renewable energy in the electricity fuel mix, greener is the hydrogen produced. Already, India aspires to become energy-independent by the year 2047 and achieving ‘Net Zero’ emissions target by 2070. Towards this goal, India is considering Green Hydrogen as a promising alternative to enabling energy transition. The Union Cabinet approved National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2022. The Mission is aimed at making India a leading producer and supplier of Green Hydrogen in the world, creating export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock, developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities, attracting investment and business opportunities for the industry etc. By 2030, efforts are on in India to attain Green Hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 Million Metric Tonne (MMT ) per annum with associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW. India has set sight on total investments of over Rs 8 lakh crore