India is rapidly ascending the ranks in the global green hydrogen race, now positioned among the top ten producers worldwide.
This rise is fueled by the government’s strategic focus on renewable energy and clean fuel technologies. In a significant boost to India’s green energy ambitions, Germany’s Select Energy and India’s Juno Joule Green Energy have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding worth US$1.3 billion.
The partnership will develop a three-phase, export-oriented green hydrogen and ammonia facility near Mulapeta port in Andhra Pradesh, targeting an annual production capacity of one million tonnes of green ammonia by 2029.
This deal is part of a broader wave of progress in India’s clean energy sector. Indian scientists have recently developed an efficient, scalable solar-powered device for green hydrogen production. Meanwhile, the Adani Group has launched the country’s first off-grid 5 MW green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch, Gujarat — powered entirely by solar energy — establishing a new benchmark for renewable-powered industrial applications.
In another pioneering move, NTPC has rolled out hydrogen fuel cell-based buses in Ladakh, the highest altitude deployment of its kind globally, supporting the region’s aspirations for carbon neutrality.
India’s renewable energy capacity, which ranks fourth in the world, serves as the backbone of its green hydrogen drive. The country currently produces around 6.5 million metric tonnes of hydrogen annually, primarily grey hydrogen, but is rapidly transitioning to green alternatives powered by solar, wind, and biomass.
At the heart of this transition is the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in January 2023. This flagship initiative aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.
The mission sets a target of at least 5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of green hydrogen production by 2030, with the potential to scale up to 10 MMTPA in line with international demand. The initiative is expected to attract investments totaling up to ₹8 lakh crore (€88 billion) and generate over 600,000 green jobs, while significantly reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuel imports.
India’s competitive advantage in green hydrogen stems from several converging factors. Chief among them is the country’s vast and low-cost renewable energy capacity — particularly solar energy, with an estimated potential of 748 GW.
Complementing this are strong legislative frameworks and policy incentives, including standards for green hydrogen production and subsidies for domestic electrolyzer manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.
India’s extensive coastline and well-developed port infrastructure also enhance its export capabilities, positioning it as a future global supplier.
Furthermore, the country’s robust engineering and construction ecosystem enables the rapid scaling of hydrogen production infrastructure.
Pilot projects across key sectors such as steel, transport, and shipping are already underway, supported by targeted government schemes and production-linked incentives that are stimulating demand and supply across the entire green hydrogen value chain.
Major Indian corporates are playing a pivotal role in driving the sector forward. Companies such as Reliance Industries, Adani Green Energy, Indian Oil Corporation, NTPC, and Tata Power are investing heavily in green hydrogen ventures, reflecting the sector’s vast economic potential and alignment with global decarbonization trends.
India is also deploying diplomatic and strategic efforts to enhance international cooperation, particularly with Europe and Gulf nations.
With ambitions to capture at least 10% of the global green hydrogen market, India is leveraging its cost efficiencies and scaling technologies to stay competitive against established players like China and the United States.
In conclusion, India’s push toward green hydrogen is a bold and forward-looking strategy that addresses both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
As the country strives to make green hydrogen cost-competitive with fossil fuels by 2030, it is laying a solid foundation for energy security, industrial innovation, and global climate leadership.
With abundant renewable resources, strong policy backing, and dynamic industrial participation, India is well on its way to becoming a cornerstone of the global green hydrogen economy.