Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is the only country among the G-20 nations that is on the path of meeting its climate goals. He also announced his Government's decision to set up the National Hydrogen Mission, with an aim for India to become the new global hub and the exporter of green hydrogen.
“Not only will green hydrogen be the basis of green growth through green jobs but it will also set an example for the world towards clean energy transition,” he said while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in Delhi on Independence Day.
The Prime Minister’s statement comes in the backdrop of the IPCC Report which has painted a bleak scenario of the world in view of growing climate change caused by greenhouse gas emission. India has made it clear that in comparison to the developed nations, it has been taking several green steps to combat global warming.
The Prime Minister also set the country a target of 2047 — when India would celebrate its 100th Independence day — to achieve self-reliance in energy production through a mix of electric mobility, gas-based economy, doping ethanol in petrol to make the country a hub for hydrogen production.
“India is not energy independent. It spends over Rs 12 lakh crore every year on importing energy. As we celebrate 75 years of Independence, we have to ensure that India becomes self reliant in energy production, too,” Modi said.
The roadmap for that is to increase usage of natural gas in the economy, setting up a network of CNG and piped natural gas networks across India, blending 20% ethanol in petrol and electric mobility, the Prime Minister said. He said India spends more than Rs 12 lakh crore annually for energy imports.
For the country’s progress, India’s energy independence is the need of the hour, necessary to make a self-reliant India, he said.
He added that India has set a target of 450 GW of renewable energy by the end of this decade and 450 GW by 2030. The Prime Minister said, “The world believes in India's leadership in environmental issues and the International Solar Alliance is an example ofthat.”