India’s Hydrogen Push Gains Global Momentum

Context

The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its Global Hydrogen Review 2025, has highlighted the accelerating pace of hydrogen deployment worldwide. However, it warns that stronger policies, investments, and infrastructure are crucial to ensure hydrogen fulfills its role in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. India, with its ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, aims to become a global leader by producing 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

Global Hydrogen Scenario

• Rising Momentum

• • • Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as the “fuel of the future” due to its ability to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, shipping, and aviation.
    • Over 50 countries have announced hydrogen strategies, signaling rapid global adoption.

• Challenges Highlighted by IEA

• • Lack of sufficient large-scale infrastructure for production, storage, and transport.
  • Investment flow remains inadequate compared to the scale of needs.
  • Policy uncertainty in some regions slows project execution.
  • Without stronger support, hydrogen’s contribution to net-zero will fall short.

India’s Green Hydrogen Push

• National Green Hydrogen Mission

• • • Launched in 2023, with INR 19,744 crore support package.
    • Targets 5 million tonnes annual production by 2030.
    • Seeks to cut nearly 50 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
    • Aims to make India a global hub for production, use, and export of green hydrogen.

• Sectoral Applications in India

• • Industry: Decarbonization of steel and fertilizers.
  • Transport: Hydrogen fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles and shipping.
  • Energy Security: Blending hydrogen with natural gas and enhancing renewable integration.
  • Exports: Potential to become a supplier to regions like EU and Japan.

Comparative Global Position

• India vs. Other Players

• • • Europe: Leading in hydrogen electrolyzer deployment and hydrogen corridors.
    • China: Investing heavily in hydrogen-powered transport fleets and electrolyzer manufacturing.
    • Japan & South Korea: Focusing on hydrogen imports due to limited domestic renewable resources.
    • India: Competitive advantage lies in RE potential (solar, wind), low production cost, and policy support.

• Competitive Edge

• • Abundant renewables lower input cost for green hydrogen.
  • A large domestic market ensures early demand creation.
  • Opportunity to lead Global South in energy transition.

Key Challenges for India

• Need for massive infrastructure for pipelines, storage, refueling stations.
• Scaling up electrolyzer manufacturing domestically.
• Ensuring cost competitiveness compared to grey hydrogen from fossil fuels.
• Building global partnerships and certification standards for exports.

Way Forward

• Strengthen policy consistency with clear long-term incentives.
• Attract private capital and global technology collaborations.
• Create demand from industries through mandates or incentives.
• Develop hydrogen hubs, corridors, and export terminals.
• Integrate hydrogen within India’s broader decarbonization roadmap.

Conclusion

Hydrogen is central to achieving global climate goals, but its deployment requires urgent scaling up of investment and policy ambition. As the Global Hydrogen Review 2025 suggests, India is well-positioned to play a pivotal role due to its renewable energy base and policy momentum. With timely execution, India can not only achieve energy independence and decarbonization but also emerge as a global hydrogen leader by 2030.

Source: DTE

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Hydrogen is being hailed as the fuel of the future with potential to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. Critically analyze India’s strategy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission in the context of global hydrogen race. What challenges must India overcome to emerge as a global leader by 2030?

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