Context:
India is in talks with large domestic companies to invest in the regulated nuclear sector, including promoting clean power through generation of pink hydrogen.
Current Status:
- Restricted Private Ownership – Atomic Energy Act, 1962 restricts private companies from owning and operating nuclear power plants in India.
- Central Government Control – Central government, currently through public sector corporations like Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), holds the authority for activities related to nuclear energy, including its production, development, use, and disposal.
- 2015 amendment to the Atomic Energy Act, allows NPCIL to form joint ventures with other public sector units to secure funding for new projects. However, this does not extend to private or foreign companies.
- Private Sector Participation – Currently, private companies can participate in specific areas like supplying components and reactors, but not owning or operating plants.
Pink Hydrogen:
- Also referred to as – Purple hydrogen or Red hydrogen.
- Produced through – Electrolysis of water, using energy from nuclear power
- Electrolysis – Process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
- Advantage – Sustainable and more cost-effective alternative to conventional methods.
- Applications – Promising replacement for fossil fuels in the cement industry, steel industry, aviation, and heavy transportation, as it can be used as a feedstock and energy source with no greenhouse gas emissions.
Related Articles:
National Green Hydrogen Mission
Source: The Hindu Business Line
Previous Year Question
With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements :
1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
