Reflecting on National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in 2023, PM outlined India’s goals to make it a global hub for production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen (GH2).

How India can become a global hub for GH2?

• Production: To achieve target of 5 Million Metric Tons (MMT) of GH2 production, India needs an investment of $100 billion. Steps that can be taken:
  • Funding: PPPs to mobilise private sector capital and expertise to finance GH2 projects.
  • Partnerships: Collaborating with global leaders for technical expertise and knowledge transfer.
  • Innovation: Continued investment in R&D to enhance efficiency of electrolyser and fuel cell technologies.
• Utilization: GH2 could replace fossil fuel derived feedstocks in petroleum refining, fertilizer production, steel manufacturing etc. 
  • Hydrogen fuelled long-haul automobiles and marine vessels can enable decarbonisation of mobility sector.
• Export: A global demand of over 100 MMT of GH2 and its derivatives like Green Ammonia is expected to emerge by 2030.
  •  India can potentially export about 10 MMT GH2/Green Ammonia per annum.  

Challenges faced in GH2 Production

• Costly technology poses a challenge to large-scale deployment.
• Technical and logistical challenges in transporting Hydrogen over long distances.
• Absence of a regulatory framework for GH2 can impede growth and investment.