India is positioning itself as a major player in the global hydrogen economy, driven by ambitious national policies, large-scale investments, and a strong commitment to decarbonization. The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in 2023, set a target of producing 5 million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030. To achieve this, India plans to add 125 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity with an investment of about $2.4 billion.
A central goal of the mission is cost competitiveness, with India aiming to reduce green hydrogen production costs to about $1.50 per kilogram by 2030. This effort is supported by financial incentives, infrastructure development, R&D initiatives such as the Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP), and workforce training programs.
Global Partnerships and U.S. Industry Involvement
India’s hydrogen ambitions have attracted significant international collaboration, including participation from members of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA):
- Nel ASA & Reliance Industries: Partner to manufacture alkaline electrolyzers in India.
- Ceres Power & Shell: join forces to conduct pilot testing solid oxide electrolyzers at Shell’s Bangalore R&D center.
- PDC Machines & Kirloskar Pneumatic: will work on distribution of diaphragm compressors in India.
- Accelera by Cummins & GAIL: will Collaborate on hydrogen production, blending, transport, and storage.
- John Cockerill & AM Green: will Supply electrolyzers for a million-ton green ammonia project and building a 2 GW/year manufacturing facility.
- Ballard & Adani Group: will deploy India’s first hydrogen-powered mining truck.
Major Domestic Projects
India is also advancing large-scale hydrogen projects across the country:
- NTPC Green Energy Ltd: will Develop a $21 billion hydrogen hub in Andhra Pradesh, including manufacturing, port infrastructure, desalination, and power facilities.
- Deendayal Port Authority (DPA): is building a hydrogen plant at Kandla port.
- Steel Sector Transition: is moving toward low-carbon direct reduced iron (DRI) production.
- Juno Joule Green Energy & Select Energy GmbH: are planning a $1.3 billion export-oriented hydrogen and ammonia facility, producing about 180,000 tons of hydrogen by 2029), converted into up to 1 million tons of green ammonia annually for export.
Outlook
India’s hydrogen strategy combines government policy, private investment, and international partnerships to create a fully integrated ecosystem. With U.S. companies already engaged through FCHEA, India’s rapid scale-up offers opportunities for deeper collaboration in technology, infrastructure, and global supply chains.
