Government initiatives to tap green energy: Centre explodes plan to run ships fully on clean energy

What is the news?

The Indian government is planning to introduce various measures/ strategies to use green energy and carbon emission-free fuels.

What are the various initiatives of the government to tap green energy?

Use of green energy to run ships: The government is planning to run ships 100% on green energy by adopting a hybrid energy model comprising a mix of solar, wind, hydrogen and seawater. This plan will help to lower operating costs for cargo ships as well as reduce carbon emissions.

The model will help India’s energy security, as it imports 85% of crude oil and 53% of its gas requirements. Also, tapping Eco-friendly fuel will allow the Indian Navy to be at sea for longer. This will also benefit the Indo-Pacific strategy as the USA seeks a greater role for the Indian navy.

Mandatory requirements: The government is also considering the other proposals for mandatory requirements for fertilizer plants and oil refineries to buy green hydrogen.

National Hydrogen Mission

Solar Hydrogen Programme: It was launched during the International Solar Alliance (ISA) assembly to produce emission-free fuel at $2 per kg, which is much lower than the current $5 per kg.

India’s commitment in the Glasgow summit: India has pledged to cut India’s total projected carbon emission by 1bn tonnes by 2030 and reduce the carbon intensity of the nation’s economy by less than 45% by the end of the decade and net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Reduce carbon emissions: India is also working on a multi prolonged approach on reducing carbon emissions and pushing for electric mobility. Maharashtra becomes the 1st state that aims to deregister an Internal combustion engine (ICE) and not to register any ICE vehicles starting 2030. It will register only non-emission causing electric vehicles and those fuelled by other carbon emissions-free next-generation fuels like hydrogen starting 2030.

Source: This post is based on the article “Centre explodes plan to run ships fully on clean energy” published in the Livemint on 12th January 2022.