The Government of India has outlined significant progress under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), aimed at positioning India as a global hub for the production, use, and export of green hydrogen and related derivatives. The update was provided by Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
The mission adopts a whole-of-government approach, assigning implementation roles across multiple ministries and agencies. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is leading overall coordination, while the Ministry of Power has been tasked with ensuring policy and regulatory support to deliver renewable energy for hydrogen production at the lowest possible cost.
Several ministries will drive sector-specific adoption of green hydrogen, including:
- Petroleum and Natural Gas — integration into refineries and city gas distribution
- Chemicals and Fertilizers — transition to indigenous green ammonia-based fertilizers
- Road Transport and Highways — adoption in mobility applications
- Steel — industrial decarbonization through hydrogen-based processes
- Ports, Shipping and Waterways — use of hydrogen fuels in maritime operations and development of refuelling hubs
- Railways — transition toward hydrogen-powered operations
Other central ministries — including Finance, Commerce & Industry, External Affairs, and Skill Development — have been assigned roles in financing, investment facilitation, international partnerships, and workforce development. Scientific agencies and research institutions will jointly run a targeted innovation programme to support technology development.
State governments have also been identified as key stakeholders responsible for enabling project development through regional policies and infrastructure planning.
MNRE has issued guidelines for pilot projects in transport and shipping sectors. Under the transport initiative, five pilot projects have been sanctioned to deploy 37 hydrogen-powered vehicles and nine Hydrogen Refuelling Stations across ten national routes. In the maritime sector, V. O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has awarded a project to establish green methanol bunkering and refuelling facilities.
The ministry has additionally designated three major ports — Deendayal Port (Gujarat), V. O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port (Odisha) — as green hydrogen hubs. NTPC’s proposal to develop a green hydrogen hub in Pudimadaka, Andhra Pradesh, has also received MNRE endorsement.
Further, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has issued an official order declaring its intention to become India’s largest green hydrogen hub and to transform the state into a Green Hydrogen Valley by 2030.
The guidelines governing hydrogen hub recognition include provisions for storage, transport, common infrastructure, and pipeline development to support industry readiness and future export capabilities.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission is expected to play a central role in India’s clean energy transition and industrial decarbonization over the coming decade.
Related
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
