Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of words Renewable energy in this illustration taken January 17, 2023.
Santosh Sarangi, secretary at the Ministry of Renewable Energy, stated that India now expects to produce around 3 million metric tonnes (MMTPA) of green hydrogen by 2030, with the original 5 MMTPA target likely to be achieved by 2032. He explained that delays in policy decisions by several European nations regarding their renewable energy targets have created uncertainty over future demand for India’s green hydrogen exports. However, India remains optimistic about developing strong domestic consumption to sustain the sector’s growth.
A key global decarbonization milestone for maritime shipping has also been postponed, further reducing short-term prospects for green hydrogen use in large vessels. Despite this, India aims to stimulate immediate domestic demand by promoting the use of green hydrogen in shipping and methanol production, Sarangi said.
He added that the renewable energy ministry is collaborating with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to issue new tenders for green hydrogen supply to refineries. The initiative is part of a broader plan to create a stable and reliable domestic market for green hydrogen, which the government considers vital for the long-term sustainability of its clean energy transition.
Sarangi also mentioned that the ministry is currently assessing connectivity and infrastructure availability for clean energy projects. Based on this evaluation, new tenders will be issued to ensure that green hydrogen projects can be efficiently integrated into the existing power grid.
According to a Reuters report last week, the power ministry has instructed its renewable energy development agencies to ensure the viability of more than 40 gigawatts of projects that currently lack buyers. Sarangi said the renewable energy ministry is working to address these challenges early on, emphasizing the need to resolve the issue of projects without customers before tendering.
India’s focus on developing a domestic green hydrogen ecosystem comes as the global energy transition continues to evolve amid shifting international policies. The country is seeking to balance its export ambitions with local industrial and energy needs, ensuring that domestic consumption provides a foundation for growth even as export opportunities fluctuate.
While short-term challenges persist due to global uncertainty, officials say India’s long-term vision for green hydrogen remains intact. The government’s strategy includes building strong demand from industries such as refining, shipping, and chemical manufacturing, alongside the expansion of renewable power capacity to support low-carbon hydrogen production across the country.
