• The mission, launched in 2023, aims to cut production costs and scale up the industry by 2030.
• The initiative is expected to cut about 50 million tons of annual carbon emissions.
• India’s potential in the field is recognized, with the potential to generate clean electricity at a low cost.

On Wednesday, the Indian government opened the International Conference on Green Hydrogen in New Delhi, bringing together thousands of energy transition leaders, industry experts, and innovators to discuss strategies for scaling up green hydrogen production.

As green hydrogen emerges as a future alternative to fossil fuels globally, India is prioritizing the development of production technologies as part of its flagship initiatives. In a video speech opening the three-day conference, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India aims to become a “global hub for the production, utilization, and export of green hydrogen” through its National Green Hydrogen Mission.

“India is fully committed to building a cleaner, greener planet. We were the first among G20 nations to meet our Paris Agreement commitments on green energy, well ahead of schedule. While we continue to strengthen existing solutions, we are also focused on embracing new and innovative approaches,” Modi said.

“Green hydrogen is one such breakthrough, with the potential to decarbonize hard-to-electrify sectors like refineries, fertilizers, steel and heavy-duty transportation.”

Also known as renewable hydrogen, green hydrogen serves as a fuel and results from the electrolysis of water. This process avoids generating polluting carbon emissions, although it remains quite expensive.

Launched in 2023, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to cut production costs and scale up the industry by 2030. The mission targets producing 5 million tons of green hydrogen and generating 125 GW of power annually.

The initiative is expected to cut about 50 million tons of annual carbon emissions. As the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, India aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. The plan also forecasts a reduction in India’s dependence on fossil fuels.

During the conference, New and Renewable Energy Minister Prahlad Venkatesh Joshi announced that India would reduce fuel import costs as well.

“This mission not only has the potential to attract INR 8 lakh crore ($95.3 billion) in investments and generate 6 lakh jobs (600,000) but will also significantly reduce reliance on imported natural gas and ammonia, leading to savings of INR 1 lakh crore ($11.9 billion),” he told the audience.

The conference, which first took place last year, connects all those involved in creating the green hydrogen ecosystem—users, producers, policymakers, and financiers.

Dr. Umish Srivastava, executive director for alternative energy at the Indian Oil Corporation—a multinational owned by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas—showcased a model bus powered by green hydrogen that the company developed at its research center.

“We produced this hydrogen using electrolysis. In our research center, we also have a project where we are converting compressed biogas into green hydrogen. We’re also putting up a plant for converting biomass directly to hydrogen,” Srivastava told the news.

“Green hydrogen is a very promising fuel of the future.”

Abhilash Savindhan from Reliance Industries showcased a heavy-duty, long-haul truck powered by hydrogen gas as another example of a clean-energy vehicle.

“Exhaust gas from this vehicle is primarily water, water vapor, and some traces of nitrogen,” he said. “If you compare this with a diesel vehicle, this is near zero emissions, and it’s also very silent.”

Ronak Sani, manager at ReNew, one of India’s largest independent power producers, presented the company’s first green ammonia production project, which is set for commissioning in 2028.

“We are effectively decarbonizing the world, ensuring the future of new generations,” he said. “This conference allows us to initiate those discussions.”

Varun Desai, manager at Xynteo, which operates the Energy Leap platform connecting green hydrogen companies with the commercial market, recognized India’s potential in the field.

India is very well positioned in terms of access to renewable resources, especially solar, wind, hydro … There’s a lot of potential to generate clean electricity at a low cost, which inputs into the hydrogen production environment as well,” he said.

“I think the policy is there in terms of enabling the adoption of green hydrogen. I think they’re heading in the right direction.”

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