India's Green Hydrogen Ambition: A Path to Energy Independence
Key Ideas
- India aims to produce five million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen by 2030, targeting CO2 mitigation and energy import reduction.
- Electrolysers, constituting a significant portion of green hydrogen cost, are projected to grow in India to 226 GW by 2050, creating export potential.
- Investing in indigenous electrolyser manufacturing technologies and efficiencies is key to ensuring competitiveness in the global green hydrogen economy.
- Strategic indigenisation of electrolyser manufacturing, focusing on cost reduction trajectories, is crucial for India's success in the green hydrogen sector.
India has set a bold target of producing five million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen by 2030 as part of its efforts to mitigate 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and reduce energy imports by ₹1 lakh crore. Electrolysers, essential for green hydrogen production, are expected to expand significantly in India, with projections reaching 226 GW by 2050. This growth presents export opportunities as the global demand for electrolysers is set to rise to 3,300 GW by 2050. The success of India's green hydrogen ambitions hinges on the indigenisation of electrolyser manufacturing to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. By focusing on developing indigenous technologies and proprietary knowledge, India can gain a competitive edge in the evolving green hydrogen market. A strategic approach towards maximising indigenisation is crucial, with a bottom-up cost analysis guiding potential cost reduction paths and identifying opportunities for commercial electrolyser models. This initiative will be vital for India's early-stage involvement in the green hydrogen economy, paving the way for energy independence and a sustainable future.