National Hydrogen Mission – India’s Ambani, Tata, and Mahindra can come together for the mission

Last updated on February 6th, 2021 at 08:58 am

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during Budget 2021-22 the launch of National Hydrogen Mission. This decade India is going to capitalize the most abundant natural resource on planet, hydrogen. 

According to Chaitanya Giri, space and ocean studies fellow with Mumbai-based think tank Gateway House, this green energy mission might bring together some of the biggest names in the Indian corporate world – Reliance, Tata, Mahindra, and Indian Oil. Giri said that the prime objective right now must be a coalition of various stakeholders like the Hydrogen Council. He said, “Companies like Indian Oil, the Tatas, the Mahindras, the Eicher – let them be a part of the coalition. Then specialty chemicals companies like Reliance can also be a part of it.”

A coalition for this mission is essential as no single company can conquer it alone. And also no single sector can. A coalition that brings together various sectors like fuel, auto, speciality chemicals and advanced materials is the key to make this hydrogen mission a success. Cars would be needed to process hydrogen, technology and fueling stations would be needed to ensure its safety.

We can learn from working models exhibited by other nations. Germany has demonstrated that the way to go on this road is just through coalition. By 2023, Germany plans to establish 400 hydrogen fueling stations. 

Giri further underlines that global technology names that will make hydrogen safe are already present in India – Linde and Air Products. He said, “These companies will take up contracts for setting up gas infrastructure and storage devices alongside the highways. They will be crucial for dispensing infrastructure like gas fueling stations.” 

If done correctly, hydrogen will be an excellent replacement for conventional internal combustion engines. For India, it is a smart choice with the rapid increase in energy demand.