National Green Hydrogen Mission

India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 with an initial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore ($2.4 billion), aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production. The target is 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2030, which would make India one of the world's largest producers. By May 2025, 19 companies had been allocated a cumulative annual production capacity of 862,000 tonnes, and 15 firms were awarded 3,000 MW of electrolyzer manufacturing capacity.

Green hydrogen — produced by splitting water using renewable electricity — is critical for decarbonizing industries that can't easily electrify: steel, cement, chemicals, heavy transport, and shipping. India's abundant solar and wind resources give it a potential cost advantage in green hydrogen production. The government is providing incentives for both hydrogen production and electrolyzer manufacturing to build an end-to-end domestic value chain.

India's green hydrogen ambitions complement its solar manufacturing push — cheap renewable electricity is the key input for cost-competitive green hydrogen. If India can achieve its targets, it could become a major hydrogen exporter, particularly to energy-importing countries in East Asia and Europe. Indian companies including Reliance, Adani, Indian Oil, and NTPC are investing heavily in hydrogen projects, with several pilot plants already operational.