New Delhi: The global spotlight turned to India’s transformative strides in renewable energy and green hydrogen as Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, delivered a compelling keynote address at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 in Rotterdam. Highlighting India’s strategic vision and robust capabilities, Sarangi underscored the nation’s potential to emerge as a global leader in green hydrogen production, leveraging its formidable renewable energy infrastructure to drive a sustainable energy future.
India’s Renewable Energy Powerhouse
India’s renewable energy sector has witnessed exponential growth, positioning the country as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets worldwide. With an installed capacity exceeding 223 gigawatts (GW), including 108 GW from solar and 51 GW from wind, India is harnessing its abundant natural resources to fuel its clean energy ambitions. This robust foundation serves as the backbone for the country’s green hydrogen initiatives, enabling it to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives.
Shri Sarangi emphasized India’s long-term vision of achieving energy independence by 2047 and reaching Net Zero emissions by 2070. These ambitious targets align with global climate goals and reflect India’s commitment to combating climate change through innovative energy solutions. The Secretary’s address highlighted how India’s renewable energy prowess provides a springboard for its green hydrogen aspirations, setting the stage for a cleaner, greener future.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: A Bold Roadmap
Central to India’s green hydrogen strategy is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023 with an initial allocation of USD 2.4 billion. This flagship initiative outlines a comprehensive roadmap to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and adoption. The mission’s multifaceted objectives include:
- Creating Demand: Identifying and fostering demand for green hydrogen in potential sectors such as steel, mobility, and shipping.
- Production Incentives: Providing financial incentives to establish domestic green hydrogen production capacity.
- Ambitious Targets: Achieving an annual production capacity of 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.
- Environmental Impact: Averting approximately 50 million metric tonnes (MMT) of CO2 emissions annually through green hydrogen adoption.
- Economic Growth: Attracting investments worth USD 100 billion and generating over 600,000 jobs.
The mission’s holistic approach integrates policy support, technological innovation, and industry collaboration to accelerate India’s transition to a hydrogen-based economy. By fostering a conducive ecosystem, the government aims to make green hydrogen a cornerstone of India’s sustainable development strategy.
Remarkable Strides in Green Hydrogen Development
India has already made significant progress under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The government has allocated an annual production capacity of 862,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) to 19 companies, demonstrating a strong commitment to scaling up green hydrogen production. Additionally, tenders have been awarded for 3,000 megawatts (MW) of annual electrolyzer manufacturing capacity to 15 firms, bolstering the infrastructure required for large-scale hydrogen production.
Pilot projects in key sectors such as steel, mobility, and shipping are underway, showcasing the practical applications of green hydrogen in decarbonizing high-emission industries. These initiatives are critical to demonstrating the viability of green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative and paving the way for broader adoption across various sectors.
Policy Support and Infrastructure Development
The Indian government has adopted a “Whole of Government” approach to support the nascent green hydrogen industry. Major policy provisions have been introduced to streamline processes and encourage investment. Notably, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has exempted green hydrogen and green ammonia plants from environmental clearance requirements, reducing regulatory hurdles and accelerating project implementation.
To facilitate the transportation and export of green hydrogen, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has identified three major ports—Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin—as green hydrogen hubs. These ports will serve as critical nodes in the supply chain, enabling efficient production, storage, and distribution of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
Furthermore, 15 Indian states have announced dedicated policies to support green hydrogen development, creating a robust framework for regional collaboration and innovation. These state-level initiatives complement national efforts, ensuring a cohesive and coordinated approach to building a green hydrogen ecosystem.
Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme
A significant milestone in India’s green hydrogen journey is the recent launch of the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme. This initiative aims to establish standardized frameworks for certifying green hydrogen production, ensuring transparency and credibility in the market. The certification scheme is a crucial step toward building trust among stakeholders and positioning India as a reliable supplier in the global green hydrogen market.
Challenges and Opportunities
While India’s progress in green hydrogen is commendable, challenges remain in scaling up the hydrogen economy. High production costs, lack of standardized frameworks, and infrastructure limitations pose significant hurdles. Addressing these challenges requires continued investment in research and development, as well as collaboration with global partners to adopt best practices and innovative technologies.
Despite these obstacles, India’s strategic advantages—such as its abundant renewable energy resources, skilled workforce, and supportive policy environment—position it favorably to overcome these challenges. The government’s proactive measures, combined with private sector participation, are expected to drive down costs and enhance the scalability of green hydrogen production.
A Global Invitation for Collaboration
During his address, Shri Sarangi extended a warm invitation to delegates at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 to visit India’s Pavilion over the next two days. The pavilion offers a platform for international stakeholders to engage with Indian industries, explore partnership opportunities, and witness firsthand the country’s advancements in green hydrogen and renewable energy. This call for collaboration underscores India’s openness to global partnerships, which are essential for accelerating the development and adoption of green hydrogen technologies.
India’s Vision for Global Leadership
India’s ambitions extend beyond meeting domestic demand. By 2030, the country aims to become a major global exporter of green hydrogen, contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts. The National Green Hydrogen Mission is designed to position India as a key player in the global hydrogen economy, leveraging its renewable energy strengths to supply clean energy solutions to the world.
The mission’s target of establishing 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030 is a testament to India’s commitment to sustainable development. The tenders already awarded for 862,000 TPA of green hydrogen production and 3,000 MW of electrolyzer manufacturing capacity reflect the rapid progress being made toward this goal. These efforts are expected to attract substantial investments, create thousands of jobs, and significantly reduce carbon emissions, aligning with India’s broader climate objectives.
A Sustainable Future Powered by Green Hydrogen
India’s participation in the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 highlights its unwavering commitment to a sustainable energy future. By leveraging its renewable energy capabilities and implementing forward-thinking policies, the country is laying the groundwork for a thriving green hydrogen ecosystem. The National Green Hydrogen Mission serves as a blueprint for other nations, demonstrating how strategic investments and collaborative efforts can drive the transition to clean energy.
As India continues to scale up its green hydrogen production and infrastructure, it is poised to play a pivotal role in the global fight against climate change. The country’s vision of achieving energy independence by 2047 and Net Zero emissions by 2070 is not just a national goal but a global inspiration. By fostering innovation, attracting investments, and building international partnerships, India is paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and what are its key objectives?
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched by the Government of India in 2023 with an initial allocation of USD 2.4 billion, aims to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and adoption. Its key objectives include achieving 5 million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2030, averting 50 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, attracting USD 100 billion in investments, generating over 600,000 jobs, and fostering demand in sectors like steel, mobility, and shipping while providing incentives for domestic production capacity.
2. How has India progressed in green hydrogen production and infrastructure development?
India has made significant strides, allocating 862,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen production capacity to 19 companies and awarding 3,000 MW of annual electrolyzer manufacturing capacity to 15 firms. Pilot projects are underway in steel, mobility, and shipping sectors. Additionally, three major ports—Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin—have been identified as green hydrogen hubs, and green hydrogen and green ammonia plants are exempt from environmental clearance to streamline development.
3. What role does India’s renewable energy capacity play in its green hydrogen ambitions?
India’s renewable energy capacity, exceeding 223 GW (including 108 GW solar and 51 GW wind), positions it as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets globally. This robust infrastructure provides the clean energy needed to power green hydrogen production, enabling India to leverage its renewable strengths to meet its target of 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 and pursue energy independence by 2047 and Net Zero by 2070.
4. What challenges does India face in scaling up its green hydrogen economy?
India faces challenges such as high production costs, lack of standardized frameworks, and infrastructure limitations. To address these, the government is investing in research, fostering global collaborations, and implementing policies like the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme to ensure transparency and credibility. Continued innovation and investment are critical to overcoming these hurdles and scaling up the hydrogen economy.
5. How is India positioning itself as a global leader in green hydrogen?
India aims to meet domestic demand and become a major global exporter of green hydrogen by 2030. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, supported by policies in 15 states and initiatives like the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme, fosters a conducive ecosystem. By inviting international delegates at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 to explore partnerships at India’s Pavilion, the country is actively seeking global collaboration to enhance its role in the global hydrogen economy.
