India's Green Hydrogen Revolution: A Path to Self-Sufficiency
Key Ideas
- India aims to produce 5 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen by 2030 to reduce CO2 emissions and energy imports significantly.
- Electrolysers, crucial in green hydrogen production, are projected to drive market growth to 20 GW by 2030, 112 GW by 2040, and 226 GW by 2050.
- Research shows that 72% of PEM electrolyser manufacturing costs can be indigenised, with room for further localization despite challenges like importing raw materials.
- While certain components like Nafion membrane and minerals like platinum may need initial imports, they contribute only 18% to the total manufacturing cost, offering an opportunity for increased indigenisation.
India has set a bold target to produce 5 million tonnes per annum of green hydrogen by 2030, driven by the aim to mitigate 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and reduce energy imports by INR 1 lakh crore. The significant role of electrolysers in this endeavor is highlighted, with expectations to boost the electrolyser market in India to 20 GW by 2030, 112 GW by 2040, and 226 GW by 2050. A research report titled 'How can Hydrogen Electrolysers be Made in India?' by CEEW sheds light on the potential for indigenisation in PEM electrolyser manufacturing, revealing that 72% of costs can be localized. While challenges exist due to dependencies on imported components like the Nafion membrane and minerals such as platinum and iridium, these elements only account for 18% of the total manufacturing cost. The study suggests that by importing raw materials and processing them domestically, the indigenisation of electrolyser components can be further enhanced, supporting India's journey towards green hydrogen self-sufficiency.