India is fully embracing hydrogen as part of their clean energy transition, with joint support by the government and industries to champion green hydrogen production made in India. Unlike traditional hydrogen production from fossil fuels which fossil fuel creates emissions, green hydrogen is produced from renewable sources such as solar and wind and is truly carbon-free. With the launch of its National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to become the world leader in the production, storage, and export of hydrogen in the world.
This article will help you understand the main methods of hydrogen fuel production, highlighting promising green hydrogen projects in India, discussing the economics of hydrogen production, and looking ahead to a bright future of hydrogen energy in India.
What Are The Main Methods Of Hydrogen Production In India?
There are multiple methods that hydrogen can be produced, but India is now primarily concentrating its efforts on renewable-driven technologies. Major methods of hydrogen fuel production are:
1. Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)
- Historically, the most common process.
- Produces hydrogen from natural gas.
- Nevertheless, it releases substantial CO2, which is why it is “grey hydrogen.”
2. Coal Gasification
- India has large coal reserves and hydrogen can be produced through coal gasification.
- This produces “brown hydrogen” with high carbon emissions.
- However, when used with carbon capture, it can produce “blue hydrogen.”
3. Electrolysis Of Water (Green Hydrogen)
- The most sustainable way for green hydrogen production in India.
- Electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, or hydropower) is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
- Produces zero emissions, making it a climate-friendly choice.
4. Biomass Gasification
- Uses agricultural waste and organic materials.
- A promising method for hydrogen production in rural India.
- Allows for circular economy models.
Key takeaway: Today, grey and brown hydrogen are still the main sources of hydrogen, however in the long term India wants to scale green hydrogen production, with a focus on hydrogen produced through renewable energy powered electrolysis.
How is hydrogen fuel produced from renewable energy sources?
The hydrogen production methods using renewable energy are the foundation of India’s hydrogen roadmap. Here is an overview of the system:
- Solar Energy To Hydrogen
- Solar is used to power electrolysis units. In hydrogen production, the use of solar energy would be applicable for producing hydrogen in India due to the abundance of sunlight in many of the Indian states (such as Rajasthan and Gujarat).
- Solar is used to power electrolysis units. In hydrogen production, the use of solar energy would be applicable for producing hydrogen in India due to the abundance of sunlight in many of the Indian states (such as Rajasthan and Gujarat).
- Wind Energy To Hydrogen
- Offshore and onshore wind energy projects generate this clean electricity and can enable plenty of potential coastal hydrogen hubs such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
- Offshore and onshore wind energy projects generate this clean electricity and can enable plenty of potential coastal hydrogen hubs such as Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
- Hybrid Renewable Hydrogen Production
- The use of solar + wind means that the process of electrolysis can be continuous that is it can be operated throughout the 24-hour period. Adjusting the energy inputs around wind and solar will drive down the cost of hydrogen production in India.
Through this approach, bringing green hydrogen plants in India with renewable projects, would make them more sustainable and cost-efficient.
Which Are The Key Green Hydrogen Projects In India?
India has seen a recent boom in ambitious hydrogen programs being developed, both from private companies and public sector companies. Some of the high-profile green hydrogen projects in India are:
- NTPC Green Hydrogen Hub (Ladakh & Gujarat):
NTPC has launched pilot projects using hydrogen powered by solar energy in Ladakh and Gujarat. - Reliance Industries (Jamnagar):
Reliance has been constructing what will be one of the largest green energy plants in the world; which includes large-scale hydrogen generation plants. - Adani New Industries Ltd (ANIL):
Adani plans on producing some of the largest amount of green hydrogen in the world and plans to build gigawatt-size electrolysis facilities. - Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL):
IOCL has been looking at hydrogen production in its multiple refineries to be used for both industrial purposes and fuel cell mobility. - KP Group’s Renewable Hydrogen Integration:
KP Group has successfully commissioned a 1 MW green hydrogen plant in Matar, Bharuch, Gujarat. This pioneering project integrates green hydrogen with LPG to power Asia’s largest galvanizing plant.
These developments show India’s potential to switch to hydrogen production projections from a pilot phase to a commercial phase.
What Role Does The National Green Hydrogen Mission Play In India’s Hydrogen Economy?
In January 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission India was launched which provided India a platform to fulfill its goal of being a global hydrogen leader. The mission has different targets:
- Target Production: 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen produced every year to 2030.
- Retargets for Renewables: Installed renewable capacity of ~125 GW of hydrogen.
- Infrastructure: construction of electrolyzers, pipelines, and hydrogen storage.
- Establish an Export Hub: India should be positioned as the global supplier of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels like ammonia.
- Industrial Applications: Increase hydrogen use in steel, refining, fertilizers, transportation use overall
- Job Creation: Create over 600,000 jobs in related sectors skilled jobs in hydrogen.
The mission will also provide economic incentives and subsidies to incentivize and lower the cost of hydrogen production in India to make it internationally competitive.
What Is The Cost Of Hydrogen Production In India?
The economics of hydrogen is critical for large-scale adoption. Currently:
- Grey Hydrogen: ₹207 to ₹225 per kg
- Blue Hydrogen: ₹115 to ₹160 per kg.
- Green Hydrogen: ₹350 and ₹450 per kg in 2025 (with anticipation that the price will drop to ₹143 – ₹202 by 2030, with the reduction in costs of renewables).
Factors influencing the cost of hydrogen production in India include:
- Availability of cheap renewable energy.
- Capital cost of electrolyzers.
- Efficiency of hydrogen storage and transport infrastructure.
- Policy incentives under the National Green Hydrogen Mission India.
India’s installed capacities of solar and wind can deliver the inherent advantages to reach the lowest cost of green hydrogen globally.
Partner With KP Group for Renewable Hydrogen Development
What Is The Future Of Green Hydrogen Plants In India?
The future of hydrogen energy in India looks bright. With green hydrogen leading the way to its net-zero goals by 2070, this transition will be informed by these trends:
- Green hydrogen plant development: From pilot projects to gigawatt capacity.
- The steel, cement, and fertiliser sectors are all beginning to utilise hydrogen, which will be a clean fuel for their operations.
- Green ammonia exports: Export hydrogen for ammonia to Europe and Japan.
- Hydrogen mobility: Hydrogen-fuel-cell-based transport – buses and trucks and trains.
- Technology improvements: Better electrolyser efficiencies, hybrid renewable configurations and hydrogen storage.
- International partnership possibilities: Working with countries including Japan, Germany and Australia on joint hydrogen projects.
India, and States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu that are blessed with renewable resources, are going to help lead the green hydrogen project in India.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A.1. Hydrogen in India is produced using electrolysis, steam methane reforming, biomass gasification, coal gasification, etc. The electrolyzed method produced from renewable is the most sustainable process and provide basis of Green Hydrogen production in the country.
A.2. Reliance is on its way to making big hydrogen projects happen at Jamnagar, paving the path to producing clean energy at a scale. Furthermore, Adani Group has also made extremely ambitious plans on hydrogen, linking it to their renewables. NTPC is developing hydrogen hubs for hydrogen promotion across all industries, while IOCL is building H2 plants at its refineries. KP Group is developing renewable hydrogen integrated plants in Gujarat. In addition to these leading companies, a number of Indian companies are developing group hydrogen projects to help get India on its green transition.
A.3. Hydrogen fuel is produced using electrolysis through renewable sources such as wind and solar energy, and it helps in the development of a more sustainable future with zero carbon emissions
A.4. The National Green Hydrogen Mission holds significance for the hydrogen roadmap for India. We would have to scale up production, set up enabling infrastructure, create economies of scale for production and end use, develop hydrogen and hydrogen-related export capabilities, and create a global hub of green hydrogen jobs in India.
A.5. The current price of green hydrogen in India is in the range of $4 to $6 per kg. However, by 2030, experts predict that green hydrogen production will be in the range of $1–$2 per kg. With access to multiple inexpensive renewable electricity sources, and there will be economies of scale, it will be cheaper and potentially abundant.
A.6. India will experience significant activity in hydrogen plant development, industrial decarbonization in India, green ammonia exports, hydrogen mobility and global partnerships and agreements.
