Centre Announces Standards of Green Ammonia, Methanol for India

The standards published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) outline the emission thresholds and compliance conditions that must be compiled for ammonia and methanol produced using Green Hydrogen from renewable sources to be classified as ‘Green’.

Green Ammonia Standard for India – Green Ammonia shall have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions from Green Hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, purification, compression and on-site storage of not more than 0.38 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg ammonia (kg CO₂ equivalent/kg NH₃), calculated as an average over the previous 12-month period.

Green Methanol standard for India – Green Methanol shall have total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions from Green Hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification and on-site storage of not more than 0.44 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg methanol (kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH), calculated as an average over the previous 12-month period.

The notification also states that carbon dioxide for Green Methanol production can be obtained from biogenic sources, Direct Air Capture (DAC) or existing industrial sources. The Department may revise eligible carbon dioxide sources from time to time, with such revisions applied prospectively with appropriate grandfathering provisions.

Renewable energy in the process of Green Ammonia and Green Methanol production also includes electricity generated from renewable sources stored in an energy storage system or stored on the grid in accordance with applicable regulations.

The notification states that detailed methodologies for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification and certification of Green Ammonia and Green Methanol will be published separately by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Any tender, bidding process or solicitation issued prior to the date of notification may continue to be subject to the terms and conditions in force at the time of publication; However, the contracting authority may, if possible and with the mutual consent of the parties, make the tender in question comply with the notification provisions.

Notifications on Green Ammonia and Green Methanol standards provide clarity to industry, investors and other stakeholders interested in the development of green hydrogen derivatives. The standards will facilitate the decarbonisation of sectors such as fertilisers, shipping, energy and heavy industry, and strengthen India’s position as a reliable producer and exporter of green fuels.

Indian Green Hydrogen developers are targeting export markets for Green Ammonia and Green Methanol. With this notification, India further strengthens its regulatory framework for green hydrogen and its derivatives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.