India has been marching toward a clean and sustainable energy future—and green hydrogen is quickly taking center stage. With increasing energy demands and a pressing need to reduce carbon emissions, green hydrogen is being hailed as the fuel of the future in India.
From the launch of the National Green Hydrogen Mission to billion-dollar investments by industry giants, India is serious about leveraging this clean fuel to drive the economy, power industries, and meet net-zero targets.
What Is Green Hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is hydrogen fuel produced using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, without emitting carbon dioxide. Unlike traditional hydrogen derived from fossil fuels, green hydrogen is 100% clean and sustainable.
The key idea here is electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources. This process leaves behind zero emissions—making green hydrogen a revolutionary energy solution.
Why Is Green Hydrogen a Game Changer?
Green hydrogen is more than just a buzzword—it’s a disruptor. It can decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, fertilizers, and heavy transportation. It’s also storable, transportable, and can be converted into electricity or synthetic fuels.
Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of clean energy: flexible, versatile, and powerful. And with India’s vast solar and wind resources, we have the perfect foundation to produce green hydrogen at scale.
Current Status of Green Hydrogen in India
As of 2025, India is in the early yet aggressive stages of adopting green hydrogen. The National Green Hydrogen Mission has allocated ₹19,744 crore to boost domestic production and export capability. Several pilot projects are already underway in sectors like mobility and industrial processing.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: Explained
Launched in 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission is India’s roadmap to becoming a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. The key goals include:
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Producing 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) of green hydrogen per year by 2030
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Creating over 6 lakh jobs
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Reducing fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore
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Avoiding 50 MMT of CO₂ emissions annually
This mission gives a serious boost to India’s clean energy ambitions.
How Green Hydrogen Is Produced
The most common method is electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources. The process looks simple but requires high-efficiency electrolyzers and significant energy input, which makes cost a challenge.
Other methods include:
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Photo-electrochemical: Using sunlight directly to split water
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Biological processes: Using algae or bacteria to produce hydrogen
Difference Between Grey, Blue, and Green Hydrogen
Let’s break it down:
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Grey Hydrogen: Produced from natural gas; emits CO₂.
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Blue Hydrogen: Same as grey, but CO₂ is captured and stored.
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Green Hydrogen: Made with clean energy; zero emissions.
India is skipping grey and blue to go directly green. Why go halfway when you can go clean all the way?
India’s Renewable Energy Potential
India is rich in renewable resources. With over 420 GW of solar and wind potential, the country can power massive green hydrogen production. States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are already attracting major green energy projects.
Major Players in India’s Green Hydrogen Race
Reliance Industries
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance plans to become the largest producer of green hydrogen globally by 2030. Their Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar will play a key role.
Adani Group
Adani New Industries Limited is investing over $50 billion in green hydrogen over the next decade. They’re targeting 1 MMT production annually by 2030.
NTPC Limited
India’s largest power producer is piloting hydrogen buses and fuel stations. Their focus: creating green hydrogen hubs across India.
Key Government Policies Supporting Green Hydrogen
India is rolling out:
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Incentives for green hydrogen producers
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Mandatory use of green hydrogen in refineries and fertilizers
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Green hydrogen standards and certifications
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PLI schemes for electrolyzer manufacturing
These policies aim to create an entire ecosystem around hydrogen energy.
Challenges in Adopting Green Hydrogen in India
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High cost of electrolyzers
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Low efficiency of current tech
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Lack of storage and transport infrastructure
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Uncertain market demand
But hey, every new tech faces roadblocks in its early years, right?
Solutions to Overcome Adoption Barriers
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Scale up domestic electrolyzer production
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Offer tax incentives and subsidies
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Develop hydrogen hubs and corridors
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Attract global investments and R&D partnerships
India is already moving fast on many of these fronts.
Green Hydrogen Use Cases in India
Transportation
Hydrogen-powered trucks and buses can decarbonize long-haul freight and public transport.
Steel and Cement Industries
These sectors are among the hardest to decarbonize—and hydrogen can replace coal here.
Fertilizer Production
India imports a huge amount of ammonia-based fertilizers. Green hydrogen can make this process cleaner and domestic.
Green Hydrogen vs Electric Vehicles in India
While EVs are great for personal transport, green hydrogen is better for:
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Heavy-duty vehicles
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Faster refueling
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Longer range
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Industrial use
In fact, both technologies complement each other, not compete.
Economic Impact of Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen could boost India’s GDP by over $90 billion by 2030, according to NITI Aayog. It can also save billions in oil and gas imports and create over half a million green jobs.
Is Green Hydrogen Economically Viable in 2025?
Not yet fully—but it’s getting there. With costs expected to drop by 50% by 2030, government incentives, and massive investments, green hydrogen could soon be cheaper than grey hydrogen.
Future Outlook: Is Green Hydrogen India’s Next Big Energy Revolution?
Absolutely. India is betting big on green hydrogen. From decarbonizing industries to powering vehicles, it’s a powerful weapon in our fight against climate change. With the right push, green hydrogen could become India’s clean fuel of the future.
Conclusion
Green hydrogen is not just another clean fuel—it’s a movement. A revolution. A pathway to energy independence and environmental resilience. India is poised to lead the global green hydrogen race, and 2025 could be the turning point.
FAQs
Q. What is green hydrogen and why is it important for India?
Ans. Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy. It’s vital for India to decarbonize its economy and reduce fossil fuel imports.
Q. How is green hydrogen different from blue or grey hydrogen?
Ans. Green is clean—no emissions. Blue captures emissions. Grey pollutes.
Q. Which companies are leading green hydrogen development in India?
Ans. Reliance, Adani, and NTPC are major players investing billions in green hydrogen projects.
Q. What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission?
Ans. It’s a government initiative aiming to make India a global hub for green hydrogen by 2030.
Q. Can green hydrogen replace fossil fuels in India?
Ans. In many sectors—yes. Especially in heavy industries, long-distance transport, and power storage.
