Question : HYDROGEN AS A FUEL

:

(a) whether the Government has taken any concrete steps in the field of research and actual production of hydrogen as a fuel in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has allowed foreign companies to set up hydrogen energy projects in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the names of the hydrogen energy projects currently functioning in the country and projects proposed to be set up in future; and

(f) the role of hydrogen energy in the overall national energy security?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES (SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR)

(a), (b),(c), (d),(e)&(f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT

Statement referred to in the Reply to Parts (a) to (f) Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 434 for 25.08.2006 on Hydrogen as a Fuel.

(a) & (b): The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources has been implementing a broad based research, development and demonstration progrmme on hydrogen energy for about two decades. Recognising the importance of hydrogen as a fuel for the future, a National Hydrogen Energy Board was set up by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources in October, 2003. The Board consists of high level representatives from Government, Industry, Academia and public figures. A National Hydrogen Energy Road Map, prepared under the direction of the National Hydrogen Energy Board, has identified steps to be taken for research, production and applications of hydrogen energy upto 2020 and beyond.

(c) & (d): The Ministry has not received any proposal from any foreign company to set up hydrogen energy projects in India.

(e): Research, development and demonstration projects have been supported on different aspects of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies. Indian Oil Corporation Limited has set up a hydrogen dispensing station at its R & D Centre in Faridabad, Haryana. The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map provides direction for taking up future projects on hydrogen energy in the country.

(f): Hydrogen energy is expected to play an increasing role in the overall national energy security of the country in the next two decades. The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map has projected the target of one million hydrogen fuelled vehicles and 1000 MW hydrogen based power generation capacity in the country by 2020 .