The Hindu Business Line : `Hydrogen-fuelled vehicles by 2020'

FOR GREEN FUEL: Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman, Steering Group, NHEB and Chairman, Tata Group; Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission; and Mr Vilas Muttemwar , Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, at the conclave on National Hydrogen Energy Road Map: Opportunities for Public-Private Partnership, in the Capital on Monday. — Kamal Narang

New Delhi June 4 The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map lays down the pathway for the development of hydrogen energy infrastructure in the country, including introduction of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles by 2020, said the Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Mr Vilas Muttemwar.

While speaking at a conclave on hydrogen energy in the Capital on Monday, Mr Muttemwar said that the Ministry is confident of achieving over 10 per cent of the total installed power generating capacity in the country from renewable resources by 2012.

"India has largest programmes on renewable energy technologies in the world. The total power generating capacity in the country as of March 2007 was about 1,33,000 MW. Renewable power generating capacity is about 10,252 MW, which is about 7.75 per cent of the total capacity," he said. About 10 lakh solar photovoltaic systems are being used for domestic lighting purposes, he added.

`Free fuel'

Bio fuels provide a short-term answer to alleviate the problem of climate change but the long term answer has been recognised the world over to come from hydrogen which is being called the free fuel for future, said Mr Muttemwar. Recognising the importance of hydrogen as a green future fuel, the Ministry set up a National Hydrogen Energy Board in 2003. The Board has set up a Steering Group to prepare a National Hydrogen Road Map. Under this initiative, about one million hydrogen fuel vehicles, of which about 75 per cent vehicles are expected to be two- and three-wheelers, would be plying on the Indian roads. Aggregate hydrogen-based power generating capacity of 1,000 MW would be set up by that time.

Dr R. Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor, said that hydrogen is a source of clean energy and can be produced through various means. Mr Ratan Tata, Chairman Tata Group, said hydrogen fuel would be an alternative to fossil fuel on which national economy can be built. Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, said that to reduce emission, clean fuel like hydrogen would help and more efforts should be put in research for this.

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