India’s Green Hydrogen Gambit: Decoding the Strategy to Capture 10% of the Global Market by 2030 

India is strategically positioning itself to capture 10% of the global green hydrogen demand by 2030, a goal driven by its robust National Green Hydrogen Mission which represents a transformative shift from energy importer to clean energy exporter.

Guided by a cohesive “whole-of-government” approach that breaks down ministerial silos, the mission has already catalyzed significant action, including incentives for producing 8.62 lakh metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually and establishing 3,000 MW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity, while market mechanisms led by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) have already discovered globally competitive prices.

By leveraging its massive renewable energy base, this integrated strategy aims not only to decarbonize domestic industries and achieve energy security but also to establish India as a pivotal hub in the global green hydrogen value chain, turning its bold climate commitments into a engine for sustainable economic growth and a cornerstone of its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

India’s Green Hydrogen Gambit: Decoding the Strategy to Capture 10% of the Global Market by 2030 

In the global race for clean energy supremacy, a new front has opened, and India is not just participating—it’s aiming to command the battlefield. At the recent 3rd International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH 2025) in New Delhi, a bold projection was made: India is on track to command a staggering 10% of the global green hydrogen demand by 2030. 

This isn’t merely an aspirational target pulled from thin air. It’s the culmination of a calculated, multi-pronged national strategy that is rapidly transitioning from whiteboard diagrams to steel in the ground. The announcements by Union Ministers Shri Shripad Y. Naik and Dr. Jitendra Singh reveal a blueprint that could redefine India’s energy identity, turning the nation from a fossil-fuel importer into a powerhouse of clean energy exports. 

More Than a Number: The Ambition Behind the 10% Target 

To understand the audacity of this goal, one must first grasp what green hydrogen is and why it’s considered the “holy grail” of decarbonisation. Unlike conventional hydrogen produced from natural gas (which emits significant CO2), green hydrogen is created by using renewable electricity to split water molecules. The result is a completely clean fuel that can decarbonise sectors where electrification is difficult, such as heavy industry (steel, cement), fertilizers, long-haul transport, and shipping. 

For India, the 10% target is a strategic masterstroke that addresses three critical national imperatives simultaneously: 

1. Energy Security: Reducing a massive import bill for fossil fuels by creating a domestic, renewable-based energy carrier. 

1. Economic Growth: Establishing a new, multi-billion dollar manufacturing and export industry in green hydrogen and its derivatives like green ammonia and methanol. 

1. Climate Commitment: Fulfilling its Panchamrit pledges made at COP-26, including reaching 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070. 

As Shri Shripad Y. Naik stated, India’s existing renewable energy base—now nearing 260 GW of installed capacity—is the launchpad. “This strong renewable base has now empowered India to take the next decisive step – the Green Hydrogen Revolution- converting renewable strength into clean molecules,” he explained. This shift from clean electrons (solar and wind power) to clean molecules (hydrogen) is the fundamental leap that unlocks hard-to-abate sectors. 

The Engine of Growth: De-risking the Market with Strategic State Intervention 

A market projected to grow at a blistering 20-40% CAGR over the next decade doesn’t emerge spontaneously. The Indian government has acted as a catalyst, deliberately de-risking the initial phase for private investment through the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). 

The numbers speak volumes about the mission’s transition from “vision to action”: 

• ₹17,000 Crore in Incentives: A substantial financial commitment to bridge the initial cost gap between green and grey hydrogen. 

• 3,000 MW/annum of Electrolyser Manufacturing: Building the very heart of the hydrogen economy domestically to control costs and supply chains. 

• 8.62 Lakh Metric Tonnes per annum of Green Hydrogen Production: Anchoring demand from key sectors from the outset. 

The most telling success, however, lies in the price discoveries achieved by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). By aggregating demand and running transparent auctions, SECI has secured globally competitive prices for the supply of 7.24 lakh MTPA of green ammonia to fertiliser units. This is not a theoretical subsidy; it’s a market signal proving that green hydrogen can be cost-competitive, which is essential to attract the long-term capital required for scaling up. 

The “Whole-of-Government” Advantage: Breaking the Silo Mentality 

Perhaps the most significant insight from the conference was the emphasis on a “whole-of-government, whole-of-nation” approach, as highlighted by Dr. Jitendra Singh. This is more than just a buzzword; it’s an operational philosophy that could be India’s secret weapon. 

Traditional government projects often suffer from departmental silos. The NGHM, however, is being orchestrated as a symphony. Dr. Singh revealed that programs initially launched by the Department of Science and Technology have been seamlessly subsumed into the mission. This indicates a rare and efficient integration of R&D with commercial deployment. 

Consider the stakeholders involved: 

• Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE): Overall mission leadership. 

• Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: Creating demand in refineries (e.g., the 20,000 MTPA supply to IOCL, BPCL, HPCL). 

• Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers: Offtaking green ammonia to decarbonise the fertiliser industry. 

• Ministry of Science & Technology: Driving foundational research and innovation. 

• Department of Atomic Energy & Space: Potentially contributing advanced research and materials science. 

This collaborative model prevents duplication of effort, aligns incentives, and sends a coherent, confident signal to the global industry. It’s a testament to a mature policy framework where the left hand not only knows what the right hand is doing but is actively working in concert with it. 

From Producer to Exporter: India’s Strategic Play for Global Leadership 

India’s ambition extends far beyond its own borders. The narrative is deliberately shifting from self-sufficiency to global export hub. Shri Naik explicitly pointed to India’s “renewable-energy abundance, strategic geography and enabling policy environment” as factors that position it to become a leading producer and exporter of green hydrogen and its derivatives. 

This is a profound geopolitical and economic opportunity. Nations like Japan, South Korea, and in Europe lack the land and renewable resources to produce green hydrogen cost-effectively. They will be major importers. India, with its long coastline for shipping and proximity to key demand centres, is ideally placed to serve this future market. By building scale and driving down costs now, India aims to become a key pillar of the future global hydrogen value chain, much like it is for IT services today. 

The Road Ahead: Challenges and the Imperative of Execution 

Despite the optimistic momentum, the path to 2030 is fraught with challenges that the ICGH 2025 aimed to address. 

• Cost and Scale: While prices are falling, green hydrogen is still more expensive than its fossil-based counterpart. Continuous innovation in electrolyser technology and a massive scale-up of renewable energy dedicated to hydrogen production are critical. 

• Infrastructure: Building a nationwide network of pipelines for hydrogen transport and storage facilities is a monumental task that requires careful planning and significant investment. 

• Water Security: The electrolysis process is water-intensive. In a water-stressed country, large-scale hydrogen production must be coupled with advanced water management and the use of treated wastewater or seawater desalination. 

• Standardisation and Safety: Developing robust domestic standards for hydrogen quality, storage, and transportation is essential for building a safe and reliable ecosystem. 

The call to action from the ministers was clear. The industry must now accelerate project execution, scale up manufacturing, and strengthen innovation pipelines. State governments are being urged to develop hydrogen hubs and industrial clusters to create localized economies of scale. 

Conclusion: Fueling a Viksit Bharat with Clean Molecules 

India’s green hydrogen journey is more than an energy transition; it is a comprehensive economic, environmental, and societal transformation. It represents a conscious choice to leapfrog dependency and build a future where energy is not a constraint but an engine of sustainable prosperity. 

The progress reported at ICGH 2025 demonstrates that India is moving with a speed and cohesion rarely seen in the development of a nascent global industry. By leveraging its renewable prowess, deploying capital intelligently, and fostering unprecedented collaboration across sectors, India is not just betting on green hydrogen—it is systematically building the ecosystem to win. The 10% global demand target by 2030 is no longer just a headline; it is a measurable milestone on India’s determined march to become a developed, self-reliant Viksit Bharat by 2047, powered by the cleanest molecule in the universe.