India’s Push for Green Hydrogen: National Green Hydrogen Mission

Overview of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

  • Approval: The Union Cabinet approved the NGHM on 4th January 2023, with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
  • Objective: To make India a global hub for the production, utilization, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
  • Vision: To position India as a leader in the global green hydrogen economy, ensuring energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and fostering economic growth.
  • Targets by 2030:
    • Produce 5 million metric tons (MMT) of green hydrogen annually.
    • Add 125 GW of renewable energy capacity dedicated to hydrogen production.
    • Reduce 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Save ₹1 lakh crore in fossil fuel imports.
    • Attract ₹8 lakh crore in investments and create 6 lakh jobs.

Key Components of the NGHM

  1. Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)
    • Objective: Provide financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and green hydrogen production.
    • Outlay: ₹17,490 crore.
    • Key Features:
      • Incentives for electrolyser manufacturing to reduce costs and scale up production.
      • Subsidies for green hydrogen production to make it cost-competitive with fossil fuels.
  2. Pilot Projects
    • Objective: Demonstrate the feasibility of green hydrogen in various sectors.
    • Outlay: ₹1,466 crore.
    • Focus Sectors:
      • Steel: Use green hydrogen as a reducing agent in place of coal.
      • Mobility: Hydrogen-powered vehicles (trucks, buses, and cars).
      • Shipping: Hydrogen as a clean fuel for maritime transport.
      • Decentralized Energy: Hydrogen for off-grid energy solutions.
      • Biomass: Hydrogen production from biomass.
      • Storage: Development of hydrogen storage technologies.
  3. Green Hydrogen Hubs
    • Objective: Identify and develop regions capable of large-scale hydrogen production and utilization.
    • Key Features:
      • Develop export-oriented hubs near ports for efficient shipping.
      • Create infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation.
  4. Infrastructure Development
    • Objective: Build the necessary infrastructure to support the green hydrogen ecosystem.
    • Key Initiatives:
      • Establish hydrogen refueling stations across key transport routes.
      • Develop pipelines and storage facilities for hydrogen transportation.
  5. Regulatory Framework
    • Objective: Develop standards and regulations to ensure safety, scalability, and interoperability.
    • Key Achievements:
      • 88 standards published for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation.
  6. Research & Development (R&D)
    • Objective: Foster innovation in green hydrogen technologies.
    • Outlay: ₹400 crore.
    • Key Features:
      • Public-private partnerships (Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership - SHIP).
      • Goal-oriented, time-bound R&D projects to develop globally competitive technologies.
  7. Skill Development
    • Objective: Build a skilled workforce for the green hydrogen economy.
    • Key Initiatives:
      • Training programs for technicians, engineers, and researchers.
      • Collaboration with educational institutions and industry.
  8. Public Awareness and Outreach
    • Objective: Promote the adoption of green hydrogen technologies.
    • Key Initiatives:
      • Campaigns to educate the public and industries about the benefits of green hydrogen.

Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency

  1. Key Sectors Targeted for Green Hydrogen Adoption
    1. Fertilizer Production:
      • Replace grey hydrogen (produced from natural gas) with green hydrogen in ammonia production.
    2. Petroleum Refining:
      • Use green hydrogen in refineries to reduce carbon emissions.
    3. Mobility Sector:
      • Hydrogen-powered vehicles (e.g., trucks, buses) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
      • Pilot projects for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks launched in Faridabad-Delhi NCR and Ahmedabad-Surat-Vadodara routes.
    4. Steel Production:
      • Green hydrogen as a reducing agent in place of coal in steel manufacturing.
    5. Shipping:
      • Hydrogen as a clean fuel for maritime transport.
  2. Benefits of Reducing Fossil Fuel Dependency
    • Energy Independence: Reduce reliance on imported crude oil and natural gas.
    • Economic Savings: Save ₹1 lakh crore in fossil fuel imports by 2030.
    • Environmental Impact: Cut 50 MMT of CO2 emissions annually by 2030.
India’s Push for Green Hydrogen: National Green Hydrogen Mission

Export Potential for Green Hydrogen

  1. Global Demand for Green Hydrogen
    • Growing Market: Countries like Japan, South Korea, and the EU are investing heavily in green hydrogen to meet their decarbonization goals.
    • India’s Competitive Advantage:
      • Abundant renewable energy resources (solar, wind) for cost-effective hydrogen production.
      • Strategic location for exporting to energy-hungry markets in Asia and Europe.
  2. Export Strategies
    1. Green Hydrogen Hubs:
      • Develop export-oriented hubs near ports for efficient shipping.
    2. International Partnerships:
      • Collaborate with countries like Japan and Germany for technology transfer and market access.
    3. Derivatives for Export:
      • Export green ammonia and methanol, which are easier to transport than hydrogen.

Progress and Achievements (as of 2024-25)

  • Green Hydrogen Production:
    • 4,12,000 TPA of green hydrogen production capacity awarded.
    • 3 GW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity approved.
  • Pilot Projects:
    • Seven pilot projects launched across transportation, shipping, steel, and storage sectors.
  • Hydrogen-Powered Mobility:
    • First fleet of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks flagged off in March 2025.
    • Hydrogen refueling stations established in Faridabad, Vadodara, Pune, and Balasore.
  • Standards and Regulations:
    • 88 standards published to ensure safety and scalability.

Challenges and Way Forward

  1. Challenges
    1. High Costs:
      • Electrolysers and hydrogen production technologies are currently expensive.
    2. Infrastructure Gaps:
      • Lack of hydrogen refueling stations and transportation infrastructure.
    3. Technological Barriers:
      • Limited R&D in hydrogen storage and transportation technologies.
  2. Way Forward
    1. Scale Up Production:
      • Increase electrolyser manufacturing capacity and reduce costs through economies of scale.
    2. Public-Private Partnerships:
      • Encourage private sector participation in R&D and infrastructure development.
    3. Policy Support:
      • Provide long-term policy certainty and financial incentives to attract investments.
    4. International Collaboration:
      • Partner with global leaders in hydrogen technology to accelerate innovation.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission is a transformative initiative that positions India as a global leader in the green hydrogen economy. By reducing fossil fuel dependency, cutting emissions, and unlocking export potential, the NGHM aligns with India’s goals of energy independence and sustainable development. With robust policy support, technological innovation, and international collaboration, India can achieve its 2030 targets and emerge as a key player in the global green hydrogen market.