India & the promise of a green hydrogen future

The global race to cut emissions from hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, fertilisers, shipping, aviation, and long-haul transport is underway, with green hydrogen emerging as the decisive fuel.

- AMITABH KANT

While Europe, Japan, Korea, and West Asia are investing billions into renewable hydrogen, India has the right mix of resources, policy and demand to emerge as the world's preeminent hub for this new energy vector.

India's advantage rests on five decisive strengths. First, India offers globally unmatched rates for roundthe-clock renewable energy, with prices ranging from ₹4.60 to ₹ 5 per kWh, making green hydrogen production extremely cost-competitive. Second, government policy has been both consistent and ambitious: The National Green Hydrogen Mission sets clear targets and provides the regulatory confidence that investors and companies seek. Third, India's industrial base is already strong, ranging from engineering capabilities to pipelines, refineries, and ports, providing a ready ecosystem for scaling green hydrogen. Fourth, India's large domestic demand for fertilisers, refining, steel, and chemicals ensures that hydrogen uptake will be driven not just by exports but also by domestic consumption. And fifth, the global export opportunity is immense. Markets like Europe and Japan are actively seeking clean hydrogen imports, and India is uniquely placed to serve them.