India Unveils Ambitious Strategy For Steel Sector Decarbonisation
In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, the Indian government has outlined a comprehensive strategy to decarbonise the steel sector. The ambitious plan, spanning short, medium, and long terms, aims to reduce carbon emissions, promote energy and resource efficiency, and integrate renewable energy into the steel industry.
The immediate focus, up to the fiscal year 2030, revolves around bolstering energy and resource efficiency while embracing renewable energy. The government is determined to make strides in minimising carbon emissions within the short term.
The Minister of State for Steel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, presented these initiatives in response to a question in Lok Sabha, highlighting the government's commitment to steering the steel industry towards a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Looking ahead to the medium term, spanning from 2030 to 2047, the strategy emphasises two pivotal areas: Green Hydrogen-based steelmaking and Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage. These innovations are expected to play a key role in shaping a more sustainable steel industry.
The long-term vision, extending from 2047 to 2070, underscores the importance of disruptive alternative technological innovations. These groundbreaking technologies are anticipated to facilitate the transition to a net-zero carbon emission steel sector.
In a comprehensive approach toward decarbonising the steel sector, the Indian government has established thirteen task forces, bringing together industry experts, academia, think tanks, and diverse stakeholders to deliberate and recommend strategies for reducing carbon emissions. The Steel Scrap Recycling Policy of 2019 plays a pivotal role in enhancing the availability of domestically generated scrap, effectively curbing coal consumption in the steelmaking process.
Additionally, the National Green Hydrogen Mission, initiated by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, places the steel sector as a key stakeholder in its focus on green hydrogen production.
The Motor Vehicles Scrapping Rules introduced in September 2021 aim to bolster the availability of scrap in the steel sector. The National Solar Mission, promoting the use of solar energy, contributes significantly to emissions reduction in the steel industry. Under the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme, part of the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the steel industry is incentivized to reduce energy consumption.
Furthermore, the sector is adopting globally recognised Best Available Technologies in its modernisation and expansion projects, while Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) Model Projects for Energy Efficiency Improvement have found successful implementation in Indian steel plants.
