India will lead the world in green hydrogen: Pralhad Joshi

India is working to become a global leader in the production and use of green hydrogen, according to Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. The Minister spoke during the launch of India’s first fleet of hydrogen-powered truck trials in New Delhi, highlighting the nation’s progress towards energy independence and the revolutionary concept of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi underlined that India has established itself as a leader in the global green energy transition, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The National Green Hydrogen Mission, with an allocation of Rs 19,744 crore, intends to make India a major participant in the production, storage, and use of hydrogen in a variety of industries. He pointed out that India has already achieved impressive strides, sanctioning 3 GW of electrolyser manufacturing capacity annually and awarded 4,12,000 TPA of green hydrogen production. In addition, 88 standards have been published to guarantee safety and scalability, and seven pilot projects in the areas of steel, storage, shipping, and transportation have been started.

The Minister presented India’s ambitious 2030 goals, which include establishing 60–100 GW of electrolyser capacity, adding 125 GW of renewable energy capacity for hydrogen production, and creating 5 million metric tons (MMT) of green hydrogen yearly. It is anticipated that these measures will save Rs 1 lakh crore in imports, draw in investments totaling Rs 8 lakh crore, and assist in lowering 50 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions every year.

The introduction of hydrogen-powered truck trials, according to Joshi, represents a significant change in India’s mobility industry. It will improve energy security and lessen reliance on fossil fuels. He pointed out that hydrogen technology will be crucial in lowering India’s reliance on crude oil. India is currently the third-largest consumer and the fourth-largest importer of crude oil. The first three of these hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks will serve the Ahmedabad–Surat–Vadodara and Faridabad–Delhi NCR routes. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is setting up hydrogen refueling stations in Faridabad, Vadodara, Pune, and Balasore to facilitate this shift.

The Minister also praised the work of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, whose initiative in advancing hydrogen-powered vehicles has spurred industry innovation. In addition, Union Minister Joshi asked all parties involved to back the green energy revolution, stressed the importance of hydrogen in determining India’s energy future, and urged business executives, innovators, and legislators to work together to realize this goal.