India is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for green hydrogen production, leveraging its vast renewable energy potential, strategic policy initiatives, and growing industrial demand. At the heart of this ambition lies the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in January 2023, which aims to make India a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen by 2030. Despite some timeline adjustments, the momentum remains strong, with industry leaders and policymakers aligning to turn this vision into reality.
🌱 What Is Green Hydrogen and Why It Matters
Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity—typically from solar or wind—to split water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis. Unlike grey or blue hydrogen, green hydrogen emits no carbon dioxide, making it a critical fuel in the global transition to net-zero emissions.
India’s push toward green hydrogen is driven by three key goals:
- Decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and fertilizers
- Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels
- Creating a new export-oriented clean energy economy
🏗️ National Green Hydrogen Mission: The Roadmap
The NGHM set an ambitious target of producing 5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of green hydrogen by 2030. However, due to global policy uncertainties—such as delays in Europe’s hydrogen import frameworks and the International Maritime Organization’s net-zero roadmap—India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) now expects to reach 3 MMTPA by 2030, with the full 5 MMTPA target likely achieved by 2032.
Despite this shift, the mission remains robust, backed by:
- ₹19,744 crore in government funding
- Incentives for electrolyzer manufacturing and green hydrogen production
- Support for pilot projects in mobility, shipping, and industrial applications
🌍 India’s Competitive Edge
India’s potential to lead in green hydrogen stems from several strategic advantages:
- Abundant renewable energy resources, especially solar and wind
- Low cost of renewable electricity, among the cheapest globally
- Strong engineering and manufacturing base
- Geopolitical positioning for exports to Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia
At the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH 2025), Pradip Kumar Das, CMD of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), emphasized that India’s green hydrogen push is not just an environmental imperative but an economic opportunity. According to the IEA’s Green Hydrogen Review 2025, global demand could reach 150 MMTPA by 2030, while current project pipelines only cover 37 MMTPA, leaving a massive supply gap that India is well-positioned to fill.
🔋 Investment and Industry Momentum
India’s green hydrogen ecosystem is attracting significant interest from both public and private sectors. Key developments include:
- Electrolyzer manufacturing plants by companies like Reliance, L&T, and Adani
- Green hydrogen pilot projects in steel and fertilizer industries
- International partnerships with countries like Germany, Japan, and the UAE
The government is also exploring green hydrogen trading platforms, aiming to establish India as a global marketplace for hydrogen and its derivatives like green ammonia and methanol.
🚢 Export Potential and Global Trade
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi recently reiterated that green hydrogen should be seen as an economic necessity, not just an environmental option. India is already in talks with several countries to establish hydrogen supply corridors, and ports like Paradip and Kandla are being developed as hydrogen export hubs.
With Europe’s REPowerEU plan targeting 10 MMTPA of green hydrogen imports by 2030, India could become a key supplier, especially as it scales up production and builds the necessary infrastructure.
⚠️ Challenges Ahead
While the vision is bold, several hurdles remain:
- High upfront costs of electrolyzers and storage systems
- Water availability for electrolysis in arid regions
- Grid integration and renewable energy intermittency
- Need for skilled workforce and R&D
Addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts across ministries, industry, and academia, along with sustained policy support and international collaboration.
🔮 Conclusion: A Green Superpower in the Making
India’s journey to becoming a global green hydrogen hub is well underway. With the right mix of policy, investment, innovation, and infrastructure, the country can not only meet its domestic decarbonization goals but also emerge as a clean energy exporter to the world.
As the world races to decarbonize, India’s green hydrogen strategy offers a blueprint for sustainable industrial growth, energy security, and climate leadership.