Green Hydrogen: Choice of technology important for India

New Delhi: India is aiming at achieving Net Zero by 2070, and in this transitionn, Green hydrogen is going to play a significant role as a clean, scalable fuel alternative that can decarbonize sectors which are major emitters of greenhouse gases.

Green hydrogen can power industries from steel-making to farming, so many industries are seeing hydrogen as a source of clean energy.

However, in transition to green hydrogen, choice of technology is of prime importance as some hydrogen-producing systems may generate higher emissions during manufacturing but deliver much cleaner hydrogen over their operational lifetime by lasting longer and operating more efficiently, according to a new study by researchers at IIT Madras.

Hydrogen is the most abundant element, and it gives off energy when combined with oxygen. The only by-product of this pross is water, which makes green hydrogen as one of the most sought after source of energy to fight climate change.

Green Hydrogen is Hydrogen produced using renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, instead of fossil fuels. In this process water is split into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis, using electricity from solar panels or wind turbines. According to standards notified by Govt of India, Hydrogen made this way is considered “green” if the total emissions from the process are very low, not more than 2 kg of CO₂ equivalent for every 1 kg of Hydrogen produced. Green Hydrogen can also be produced by converting biomass (like agricultural waste) into hydrogen, as long as emissions remain below the same limit.

However, an article in New Scientist says that 99 per cent of the hydrogen supply today is “grey” hydrogen. It is produced by breaking down methane or coal gas, a process that releases carbon dioxide.

As India’s energy transition is entering a decisive phase, and as the country reduces its dependence on fossil fuels and increases domestic clean energy production, it is important what process in green gydrogen it is going to adopt.

The government launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023, as an umbrella programme that aims to establish a Green Hydrogen ecosystem and catalyse a systemic response to the opportunities and challenges in this sector.

As of May 2025, 19 companies have been allocated a cumulative annual production capacity of 862,000 tonnes of Green Hydrogen every year and 15 firms have been awarded a 3,000 MW annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity. India has also launched pilot project in steel, mobility and shipping sectors.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission has an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore till Financial Year 2029-30. This includes ₹17,490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, ₹1,466 crore for pilot projects, ₹400 crore for research and development (R&D), and ₹388 crore towards other Mission components.

The Mission focuses on four key pillars, including policy and regulatory framework, demand creation, research and development & innovation, and enabling infrastructure and ecosystem development — aimed at positioning India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, use, and export.

—India News Stream