• India is all set to organise a two-day summit on green hydrogen initiatives involving BRICS nations, beginning on June 22.

• Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) are members of the grouping. 

• The summit, anchored by state-run NTPC, offers a platform to participants to share ‘Green Hydrogen’ initiatives and views on how to take it to the next level in their own countries.

• The online event will be held via video conference and will conclude on June 23.

What is Green Hydrogen?

• As the world rapidly moves to decarbonise the entire energy system, hydrogen is poised to play a vital role and build on the rapid scale-up of renewable resources across the world. 

• Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint. 

• This gives Hydrogen the edge over other fuels to unlock various avenues of green usage. 

• However, challenges lie in terms of technology, efficiency, financial viability and scaling up which the summit will aim to address.

• Green hydrogen has innumerable applications. Green chemicals like ammonia and methanol can directly be utilised in existing applications like fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, shipping, etc. 

• Green Hydrogen blending up to 10 per cent may be adopted in CGD (city has distribution) networks to gain widespread acceptance.

NTPC

• NTPC, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, was established in 1975.

• It is India’s largest power utility with an installed capacity of 65,810 MW (including JVs). It plans to become a 130 GW company by 2032. 

• From fossil fuels it has forayed into generating electricity via hydro, nuclear and renewable energy sources. 

• To strengthen its core business, the corporation has diversified into the fields of consultancy, power trading, training of power professionals, rural electrification, ash utilisation and coal mining as well.

• NTPC Group has 70 power stations comprising 24 coal, seven combined cycle gas/liquid fuel, one hydro, 13 renewables along with 25 subsidiary & JV power stations. The group has over 18 GW of capacity under construction, including 5 GW of renewable energy projects.

• NTPC became a Maharatna company in May 2010. 

Maharatna scheme

The main objective of the Maharatna scheme, which was introduced in 2010, is to empower mega Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to expand their operations and emerge as global giants.

Eligibility criteria for grant of Maharatna status:

The CPSEs meeting the following eligibility criteria are considered for Maharatna status:

a) Having Navratna status.

b) Listed on Indian stock exchange with minimum prescribed public shareholding under SEBI regulations.

c) An average annual turnover of more than Rs 25,000 crore during the last 3 years.

d) An average annual net worth of more than Rs 15,000 crore during the last 3 years.

e) An average annual net profit after tax of more than Rs 5,000 crore during the last 3 years.

f) Should have significant global presence/international operations.

Currently, there are ten Maharatna CPSEs:

1) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited

2) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited

3) Coal India Limited

4) GAIL (India) Limited

5) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited

6) Indian Oil Corporation Limited

7) NTPC Limited

8) Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited

9) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited

10) Steel Authority of India Limited.

Navratna scheme

The government introduced the Navratna scheme, in 1997, to identify CPSEs that have comparative advantages and to support them in their drive to become global giants. Under this scheme, the boards of Navratna CPSEs have been delegated enhanced powers in the areas of:

a) Capital expenditure

b) Investment in joint ventures/subsidiaries

c) Mergers & acquisitions

d) Human resources management, etc. 

Criteria for grant of Navratna status:

The CPSEs which are Miniratna I, Schedule ‘A’ and have obtained ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ MoU rating in three of the last five years and having composite score of 60 or above six selected performance indicators are eligible to be considered for grant of Navratna status.

Currently, there are 14 Navratna CPSEs.

Miniratna scheme

In October 1997, the government decided to grant enhanced autonomy and delegation of financial powers to some other profit-making companies, subject to certain eligibility conditions and guidelines to make them efficient and competitive. 

These companies, called Miniratnas, are in two categories, namely, Category-I and Category-II. 

Currently, there are 74 Miniratna CPSEs.

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