The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the green hydrogen certification scheme of India (GHCI) under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to monitor, verify, and certify the greenhouse gas emission intensity of hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources. The scheme sets a threshold of 2 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen, measured as an average over a period of 12 months, and applies to electrolysis and biomass conversion pathways. Certification is mandatory in cases where the hydrogen producer or production facility receives government incentives, intends to use or sell hydrogen domestically, benefits from concessions, or supplies partially for domestic and export use. Producers exclusively exporting hydrogen without incentives are not required to obtain certification but must report their emissions according to the importing country’s standards. Certification under GHCI is granted through two facility-level stages (concept and facility certificate) and two production-level certificates (provisional and final). Certification becomes invalid if actual emissions exceed the threshold or the final certificate is not applied for on time, with consequences including the withdrawal of existing certificates and temporary ineligibility for further certification for the next evaluation cycle for three years.
Green hydrogen producers must adopt a monitoring, reporting, and verification framework and engage accredited carbon verification agencies recognised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The evaluation cycle for final certification is based on the financial year, and provisional certificates may be issued for periods ranging from one to eleven months. Verification involves assessing direct and indirect emissions within defined system boundaries, which include energy and material inputs used in processes like water treatment, electrolysis, biomass processing, heat/steam generation, conversion of biomass to hydrogen, onsite gas purification, and onsite storage of hydrogen. Emissions from activities such as construction, manufacturing, decommissioning of capital goods, business travel and equipment manufacture are excluded. The scheme also outlines specific emission calculation methodologies for both electrolysis and biomass pathways and mandates that hydrogen certified as green must have an emission intensity within the specified threshold. Additionally, the producers are also required to maintain detailed records for at least five evaluation cycles or from the date of commencement of operations, for hydrogen output, energy consumption, water use, and other input materials.
The certification provides a guarantee of origin for green hydrogen and enables producers to claim carbon credits under India’s Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, provided they meet additional requirements. Each certificate will include a unique identification for each 100 kg of hydrogen produced, specifying project details, and emission intensity values. A final certification fee of Rs 5 per 100 kg is applicable, while other certificates remain free of cost. Moreover, the certification does not substitute statutory clearances for establishing a green hydrogen plant and may be modified in the future with MNRE’s approval. Furthermore, the GHCI incorporates ISO 19870:2023 for life-cycle greenhouse gas assessment and provides technical procedures for emissions allocation in cases involving co-products. A scheme monitoring committee will oversee the status of implementation of the scheme, resolve issues, and ensure alignment with India’s clean energy and decarbonisation targets.
