SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) | Ministry of Science & Technology | Department of Science & Technology (DST)
India’s transition to a clean-energy economy is moving into high gear with two major steps as part of its Net Zero by 2070. First, the re-iterated support for the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) that targets 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030, backed by over ₹8 lakh crore in investment, job creation (6 lakh+ jobs) and import-reduction (~₹1 lakh crore) by 2030.
Key moves under NGHM include: establishment of port-based hydrogen hubs (e.g., V.O. Chidambaranar Port), hydrogen mobility pilots across 10 routes (37 vehicles), strategic R&D incentives (₹400 crore fund, ₹100 crore for start-ups) and a certification scheme for “green hydrogen” under 2 kg CO₂ per kg-fuel.
Second, at the International Conference on Green Hydrogen ICGH‑2025, India emphasised a “self-reliant hydrogen economy” model with four Hydrogen Valleys across India (₹485 crore investment) to demonstrate full value chains, aided by a new ₹1 lakh crore RDI (Research, Development & Innovation) scheme to accelerate deep-tech and clean energy innovation along with institutional reforms such as Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
These moves are foundational for India’s energy-industrial transformation: positioning green hydrogen as a platform for • decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors (steel, refining, shipping) • scaling domestic manufacturing (electrolysers, fuel cells) • enabling export-oriented clean-technology ecosystems.
For policymakers, success will depend on aligning renewable energy supply contracts, hydrogen transport/regulation infrastructure, and skill-ecosystem development. The RDI corpus and Hydrogen Valleys underscore that hydrogen is as much about innovation policy as it is about climate policy.
What are Hydrogen Valleys? → Demonstration hubs where the full hydrogen value-chain (production, storage, transport, utilisation) is developed within a region to validate technology, regulation, economics and ecosystem readiness.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can India ensure that its green-hydrogen investments follow through into commercial-scale deployment, cost-parity with fossil alternatives, and robust export markets, while avoiding stranded-asset risks and ensuring inclusive industrial outcomes across states?
Follow the full news here: Unlocking India’s Green Hydrogen Production Potential.
India is a key part of the global transition to a self-reliant hydrogen economy.