Pushing green hydrogen: Need to secure against ‘reneging on PPAs’ as costs fall

Prime minister Narendra Modi talking about it ‘green hydrogen’ in his I-Day address signals a definitive push for the alternative-fuel in India. The PM announced a National Hydrogen Mission (NHM), with an outlay of Rs 800 crore, the details of which are awaited. Kerala, it would seem, wants to get going early; Business Standard reported the state has started talks with energy majors IOC, NTPC, BPCL, GAIL, among others to make green hydrogen from the solar power facility at the Cochin airport. However, it is Mukesh Ambani’s ambitious ‘1-1-1’ plan—$1 for one kg in one decade—that is making the headlines. Having committed Rs 75,000 crore over three years, the Reliance Industries chairman sounds determined to achieve this target. Even if this sounds too good to be true, the plan should be pursued.