The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), hosted by India from March 18-22, 2024, in New Delhi, concluded with a productive Stakeholders’ Consultation Day. The event, part of the Industry Outreach Programme, took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, focusing on enhancing the dialogue and cooperation among key stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of clean and green hydrogen technologies.
During the inaugural session, P Kumaran, Special Secretary (Economic Relations and Development Partnership Administration) at the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized the transformative potential of Green Hydrogen in reshaping India’s energy supply chain over the next two decades. He highlighted India’s advantageous position, given its abundant renewable resources, to lead the clean energy transition. Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, underscored the urgency of addressing climate change through decarbonization efforts, including the application of Green Hydrogen technologies.
Dr Noe Van Hulst, Vice Chair of IPHE, praised India’s ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, stating that achieving these targets would place India at the forefront of global hydrogen development. He commended India for its successful organization of the meeting and the warm hospitality extended. Vineet Mittal, Chairperson of the CII Taskforce on Green Hydrogen and Chairperson of the Avaada Group, called for support from international organizations like the WTO and the UN to facilitate Green Hydrogen adoption. He emphasized India’s need for policy autonomy in its decarbonization journey.
Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, highlighted the burgeoning Green Hydrogen ecosystem across India, spurred by supportive government policies and the active participation of the industry. The Stakeholders’ Consultation Day also featured panel discussions on vital topics such as Standards & Certification, Safety, International Trade Policies, and Financial Innovation in the Clean / Green Hydrogen Sector. These discussions shed light on the complexities of establishing robust global standards, ensuring safety, facilitating international trade, and unlocking financial innovations for scaling Green Hydrogen technologies.
This meeting underscored the collective resolve of stakeholders to propel the transition towards sustainable energy solutions, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment to a greener future. The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is a global initiative that provides a forum for stakeholders to collaborate on policies and practices promoting the advancement of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. It aims to accelerate the commercialization of these technologies to enhance energy security, environmental sustainability, and economic development.