India's Nuclear Power Push: Exploring Pink Hydrogen Potential
Key Ideas
  • India is exploring the potential of using nuclear power not only for electricity but also for hydrogen production to support industrial activities.
  • The government aims to open up the nuclear power sector to the private industry, focusing on the production of 'pink hydrogen' powered by nuclear energy.
  • Pink hydrogen, produced through small modular reactors (SMRs), is seen as a stable and cost-effective alternative to green hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors.
  • The National Green Hydrogen Mission will continue alongside the pink hydrogen initiative, with a target of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
India is making strategic moves towards utilizing nuclear power for hydrogen production, in addition to electricity generation. The government, led by Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar, is considering the potential of producing 'pink hydrogen' through nuclear energy to support industrial applications. Pink hydrogen, generated using small modular reactors (SMRs), is positioned as a long-term solution for achieving India's net-zero goal by 2070. This initiative aims to open up the nuclear power sector to private entities, with conglomerates like Adani Group and Tata Group expressing interest. Compared to green hydrogen, pink hydrogen offers stability and cost-effectiveness, as nuclear power is not subject to the intermittencies of renewable energy sources. The National Green Hydrogen Mission remains a priority alongside the pink hydrogen drive, with a vision to reach 100 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The move towards pink hydrogen is expected to provide industries with a reliable and sustainable source of energy, especially in sectors that find it challenging to set up renewable energy farms. As the government plans to amend relevant acts to facilitate private sector involvement in the nuclear energy domain, the industry shows readiness to invest in SMRs for decentralized power generation. The long-term vision includes the trading of pink hydrogen in India's carbon market, offering potential economic benefits. While the amendments to existing laws may take time, the overall sentiment towards leveraging nuclear power for hydrogen production appears positive and forward-looking.
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