New Delhi: India’s green hydrogen economy is gearing up for an investment wave of ₹10 lakh crore by 2030 as the country ramps up capacity to meet its ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) targets, according to a report by Avener Capital.
The report said India is targeting 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen production and 20 GW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity by the end of this decade. The centrepiece of this push is the SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) Programme, with an outlay of ₹17,000 crore till FY2030.
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has already awarded over 8.58 lakh MTPA of green hydrogen production and 2.3 GW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity under this scheme.
The government aims to cut fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore and avoid 50 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions through green hydrogen adoption. The total outlay for the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023, is ₹19,744 crore, including incentives for both hydrogen producers and electrolyser manufacturers.
High stakes, high demand
Green hydrogen is set to become the backbone of decarbonisation in sectors like fertilisers, refining, and steel, with demand from the refining and steel sectors alone projected to reach 4.5 MTPA by 2030. The report said green hydrogen is likely to replace nearly 80 per cent of fossil fuel usage in these sectors. The current cost of green hydrogen in India ranges from $3.8/kg to $5.8/kg. The report estimates this will fall to $0.8/kg to $3.3/kg by 2030, driven by cheaper renewable energy, improved capital efficiency, and indirect tax waivers.
To support this transition, the government has rolled out production-linked incentives (PLI) worth ₹5,258 crore for green hydrogen and ₹4,440 crore for electrolysers. These are structured as per-kg awards disbursed over three years under SIGHT Component II, based on performance and localisation benchmarks.
India’s green electrolyser play
India’s current electrolyser capacity is under 1 GW, but with SIGHT Component I’s recent awards and planned expansion to 20 GW by 2030, the domestic ecosystem is expected to see significant growth. In the first tranche of bidding, SECI awarded 2.3 GW of electrolyser capacity. Meanwhile, port infrastructure is being developed in Kandla, Tuticorin, and Kakinada to enable green hydrogen and ammonia exports. Long-term contracts for 2.5 lakh tonnes of exports have already been signed from Tuticorin and Kakinada.
States enter green hydrogen race
States including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh have introduced their own green hydrogen policies, offering incentives like stamp duty waivers, land subsidies, and exemption from transmission charges to attract investors and project developers.
Green ammonia, used in fertilisers and shipping, is emerging as a major export product and hydrogen carrier due to its higher energy density and ease of transport, the report added.
Global race intensifies
On the global front, the report said countries such as the US, China, and Germany have announced green hydrogen capacity targets that together exceed 20 MTPA by 2030. India’s competitive renewable energy tariffs and large industrial base make it well-positioned to be a major exporter.
