Gujarat Promotes Green Hydrogen Program to Key Industry Leaders and Innovators

The roundtable was chaired by SJ Haider, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat and focused on Gujarat’s strategic initiatives to develop a green hydrogen ecosystem, with the state targeting production of 3 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of Green Hydrogen. The session highlighted Gujarat’s potential to play a key role in the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

The roundtable began with a strong reaffirmation of Gujarat’s commitment to developing a robust green hydrogen ecosystem. An insightful audio-visual presentation showcased the state’s immense potential in the sector, highlighting the initiatives already taken to position Gujarat as a leader in green hydrogen production.

“As a state at the forefront of India’s renewable energy journey, Gujarat has committed to accelerate the development of green hydrogen infrastructure. This CEO roundtable was a key step in our mission to work with industry leaders and stakeholders to achieve the ambitious goals set under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Leveraging Gujarat’s strategic strengths in renewable energy and industrial potential, we aim to make the state a global leader in green hydrogen production and export,” said SJ Haider, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat.

The roundtable moderated by Nishaanth Balashanmugam, Director, Green Hydrogen Organisation, facilitated a dynamic discussion on making Green Hydrogen economically viable. Industry leaders from key companies such as ReNew, Hygenco, Goenka Group and KPMG provided valuable insights on key factors influencing Green Hydrogen pricing, strategic advantages of industrial clusters and logistical challenges associated with hydrogen transportation.

The roundtable also featured contributions from innovative startups such as Newtrace and Ossus Biorenewables, who presented new ideas for using biomass and wastewater to produce Green Hydrogen. These startups brought new perspectives on how to scale green hydrogen solutions using cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies.

The roundtable served as a platform for robust discussions, fostering collaboration among key stakeholders to accelerate Gujarat’s green hydrogen ambitions. Participants highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, industry and research institutions in driving green job creation and supporting skill development to meet future industry needs.

On renewable energy, senior government officials provided key data and statistics that showcased Gujarat’s strength and potential in this sector. Gujarat boasts of over 12 GW of wind power and 14 GW of solar capacity, including 4 GW of rooftop solar. It has the highest wind capacity, second highest solar capacity and highest rooftop solar capacity in the country. The Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy 2023 has paved the way for significant investments, driving growth and innovation in renewable energy. As of today, the current renewable energy capacity stands at over 29 GW and contributes over 50% to the state’s total installed capacity. Gujarat is targeting 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and has committed to contribute significantly, with a target of sourcing 50% of its electricity requirement from renewable sources by 2030.

The state is focusing on offshore wind projects, wind-solar hybrid projects and energy storage systems to promote round-the-clock power. Gujarat is planning to set up a 500 MW offshore wind project in Phase I, supported by the Central Government’s VGF grant. It is estimated that there is a potential of 30 GW for pumped-storage hydro projects in the state and the PSP policy will be introduced.

In his closing address, SJ Haider reiterated the commitment of the Gujarat government in promoting the Green Hydrogen programme. He assured industry leaders and startups that the state would actively consider their valuable inputs, further strengthening his resolve to lead in Green Hydrogen production while generating new employment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

The CEO Roundtable highlighted Gujarat’s readiness to significantly contribute to India’s green hydrogen goals, demonstrating the state’s leadership in promoting clean energy solutions and creating a sustainable future.

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