Discover how green hydrogen is the game-changer in India’s net zero transition. Learn about its potential, current challenges, and what’s being done to harness it.
India’s journey toward achieving net zero emissions by 2070 is ambitious, but one solution stands out as the missing piece of the clean energy puzzle — green hydrogen. As the country scales up renewable power and decarbonizes key sectors, green hydrogen is emerging as a vital fuel that could bridge the gap between ambition and execution. In 2025, this “fuel of the future” is no longer a buzzword but a strategic priority.
Let’s explore why green hydrogen is the missing link in India’s net zero transition, its vast potential, and the road ahead.
🌍 What is Green Hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water (H₂O) into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolyzers powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind. This method ensures zero carbon emissions during production, unlike grey or blue hydrogen, which involve fossil fuels or carbon capture.
As a clean fuel, green hydrogen can be used for:
- Powering heavy industries
- Fueling long-haul transport
- Generating electricity
- Acting as energy storage for renewables
In short, it can replace fossil fuels across hard-to-abate sectors.
🔋 Why Green Hydrogen is Crucial for Net Zero India
India is the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally. While renewables like solar and wind are expanding rapidly, they are intermittent and cannot fully decarbonize sectors like steel, cement, and fertilizer production. That’s where green hydrogen steps in.
Key Advantages of Green Hydrogen for India:
- ✅ Can power industries that can’t run on electricity
- ✅ Enables 24×7 renewable energy with storage solutions
- ✅ Supports clean mobility through hydrogen fuel cells
- ✅ Helps achieve energy independence, reducing oil imports
- ✅ Acts as a carbon-neutral feedstock in fertilizers and refineries
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), green hydrogen could contribute up to 12% of global energy use by 2050.
🇮🇳 India’s Green Hydrogen Mission: A Bold Beginning
Launched in January 2023, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make the country a global hub for the production, utilization, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
Key Targets by 2030:
- 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen production annually
- 125 GW of renewable energy capacity for hydrogen production
- Rs 19,744 crore outlay under the mission
The mission is split into two components:
- SIGHT Programme: Provides financial incentives for domestic electrolyzer manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
- Strategic Interventions: Focuses on pilot projects, R&D, and setting up hydrogen hubs.
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🔧 Challenges in the Green Hydrogen Ecosystem
Despite its promise, green hydrogen adoption in India faces several barriers:
1. High Production Cost
Green hydrogen currently costs ₹300–400 per kg, significantly more than grey hydrogen (~₹160/kg). This cost gap discourages industry uptake.
2. Lack of Infrastructure
India needs a dedicated hydrogen ecosystem — from pipelines to storage and refueling stations — which currently doesn’t exist.
3. Water Dependency
Electrolysis needs significant amounts of purified water — a concern in water-stressed regions of India.
4. Technology Gaps
Domestic electrolyzer manufacturing is at a nascent stage. India depends on imports, especially from Europe and China.
5. Regulatory Uncertainty
Policy clarity around tariffs, blending mandates, and certification of green hydrogen is still evolving.
🌐 Global Comparisons: Where Does India Stand?
Globally, nations like Germany, Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia are investing billions in green hydrogen. India’s edge lies in:
- Abundant sunlight and wind for low-cost renewable power
- Growing industrial demand for hydrogen
- Skilled manpower and engineering expertise
However, policy speed and investment scale will determine if India can compete globally.
🚛 Use Cases: Industry and Mobility
India’s green hydrogen applications are expanding rapidly:
1. Steel Industry
Companies like JSW Steel and Tata Steel are exploring hydrogen-based steelmaking to replace coal.
2. Refineries and Fertilizers
Public sector units like IOCL and RCF are setting up pilot projects to replace grey hydrogen with green alternatives.
3. Transport Sector
Hydrogen fuel cell buses and trucks are being tested in states like Gujarat and Delhi NCR.
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🏞️ Green Hydrogen and Rural Development
The benefits of green hydrogen extend beyond energy and climate:
- ⚙️ Decentralized hydrogen hubs can create jobs in rural areas
- 💧 Water recycling technologies can improve local water availability
- 💼 Agri-based green hydrogen initiatives can benefit farmers
CSR-funded Net Zero Villages could emerge as hydrogen-powered micro-economies.
🧪 What Needs to Be Done: The Roadmap Ahead
India’s green hydrogen vision requires collaborative action from the government, industry, startups, and academia.
Key Priorities:
- 🏗️ Accelerate infrastructure for production and transport
- 🔬 Invest in R&D and local manufacturing of electrolyzers
- 💸 Lower costs through subsidies and economies of scale
- 🧾 Mandate hydrogen usage in specific industrial sectors
- 🌍 Promote exports and sign global trade pacts
India can also leverage carbon markets and green bonds to attract international financing.
🌟 Conclusion: India’s Hydrogen Moment Has Arrived
If India wants to meet its net zero by 2070 target while ensuring energy security, job creation, and economic growth, green hydrogen is the key enabler. The National Green Hydrogen Mission has set the stage — now, rapid execution will decide the success of this revolution.
This clean molecule has the power to fuel India’s $5 trillion economy, ensure climate justice, and position the country as a climate tech leader globally.
Green Hydrogen in India isn’t just a dream — it’s becoming the backbone of a sustainable, net zero future.
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