Creating a robust domestic market for green hydrogen will require coordinated efforts across policy, technology, infrastructure, safety, and industry collaboration, experts observed during a panel discussion on “Enabling the Domestic GH2 Market” at the Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit 2025, held on March 12–13, 2025, in Kochi, Kerala.
The session was moderated by Amrit Singh Deo, Senior Managing Director, India H2 Alliance, and featured Dr Anita Gupta, Head – Climate Energy and Sustainable Technology (CEST), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India; Ranbir Saran Das, Chief Executive Officer, Fairwood Group; Dr Umish Srivastava, Executive Director (TP&F), Indian Oil Corporation Limited; Dr Jacob Thottungal Verghese, Chairman, STEAG Energy Services; and Dr R. Venugopal, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives (Retd.), PESO.
The panel explored India’s evolving green hydrogen ecosystem, highlighting the need to accelerate domestic demand while addressing challenges related to cost, infrastructure, regulations, and commercialization.
Building on India’s Existing Hydrogen Ecosystem
The panel noted that hydrogen is not a new fuel for India. Industries such as refineries and fertilizer manufacturing have relied on hydrogen for decades, primarily using grey hydrogen derived from fossil fuels.
The next phase, however, is the transition towards green hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This shift is expected to play a vital role in helping India decarbonise energy-intensive industries while supporting its long-term climate and energy security goals.
The experts agreed that scaling green hydrogen adoption will require parallel development of production capacity, transportation networks, storage infrastructure, and industrial demand.
Hydrogen Valleys Can Accelerate Adoption
One of the key themes of the discussion was the concept of Hydrogen Valleys—integrated clusters where hydrogen is produced, stored, transported, and consumed within a defined geographical region.
The panelists explained that such localized ecosystems can significantly reduce logistics costs, improve operational efficiency, and create commercially viable business models for green hydrogen deployment.
Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley initiative was highlighted as an important step in demonstrating how regional hydrogen hubs can accelerate innovation, encourage industrial participation, and support the growth of a domestic hydrogen economy.
High Production Costs Remain a Major Challenge
Despite growing interest in green hydrogen, the panel acknowledged that production costs remain one of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption.
Current production costs are substantially higher than conventional fuels due to expensive electrolyser technologies, renewable energy requirements, and supporting infrastructure.
The speakers stressed that continued investments in research, technological innovation, manufacturing scale, and policy support will be essential to reduce costs and improve commercial competitiveness over the coming years.
Safety Standards and Regulatory Frameworks are Essential
The discussion also underscored the importance of establishing comprehensive safety regulations as hydrogen adoption expands across sectors.
Experts pointed out that every stage of the hydrogen value chain—from production and storage to transportation and end use—requires rigorous safety protocols, certification systems, testing facilities, and regulatory oversight.
Developing globally aligned standards will not only improve operational safety but also strengthen investor confidence and facilitate faster commercial deployment.
Localised Applications Can Drive Early Success
Rather than waiting for nationwide deployment, the panel advocated for building multiple localized hydrogen ecosystems that serve specific industrial and commercial applications.
Targeted deployment in sectors such as chemicals, paper manufacturing, refineries, fertilizers, mobility, and industrial heating can help create early demand while demonstrating the economic viability of green hydrogen technologies.
The panelists observed that successful pilot projects and regional clusters will provide valuable operational experience and encourage broader market adoption.
Innovation and Collaboration Will Shape India’s Hydrogen Future
Innovation emerged as a recurring theme throughout the discussion. The experts highlighted the need for continued advancements in hydrogen production technologies, storage systems, transportation solutions, and end-use applications.
They also emphasised that strong collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, industry leaders, startups, and investors will be critical for building a globally competitive hydrogen ecosystem.
Public-private partnerships, supportive financing mechanisms, and long-term policy stability were identified as essential ingredients for accelerating India’s green hydrogen ambitions.
Towards a Self-Reliant Green Hydrogen Economy
Concluding the session, the panel agreed that India’s green hydrogen journey presents a significant opportunity to strengthen energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and build a globally competitive clean energy industry.
While challenges related to cost, infrastructure, and regulations remain, the speakers expressed confidence that coordinated efforts across stakeholders, combined with sustained innovation and policy support, can position India as a leading player in the global green hydrogen economy.
