India among world's fastest clean energy growers, says Minister Pralhad Joshi
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, 17 June declared that India has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing clean energy economies over the past 12 years, crediting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the transformation. Speaking at a national workshop in New Delhi, Joshi said the National Green Hydrogen Mission is central to the country's push toward a sustainable, self-reliant energy future.
National Workshop Sets the Stage
The remarks came at the National Workshop on 'Strengthening the National Green Hydrogen Mission: Through State Policies, Hubs and Infrastructure', organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The event brought together state representatives, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to accelerate India's green hydrogen agenda.
During the workshop, Joshi launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India (GHCI), developed by MNRE to enable transparent certification and regulatory compliance under the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme. The portal is expected to strengthen accountability and establish a robust framework for India's emerging green hydrogen ecosystem.
Mission Scale and Financial Outlay
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023 with a financial outlay of ₹19,744 crore, aims to position India as a global hub for the production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen, according to the Minister. Joshi described the mission as a pivotal driver of industrial decarbonisation and long-term energy security.
Notably, financial incentives have been awarded to 15 companies to build indigenous electrolyser manufacturing capacity of 3,000 MW per year — a move aimed at reducing dependence on imported supply chains and deepening domestic manufacturing capabilities.
State Participation and Policy Progress
Joshi called on states to take a more proactive role, noting that six states have already notified dedicated Green Hydrogen Policies, while seven others have incorporated hydrogen-related provisions within their broader industrial and renewable energy policies. A further four states are currently finalising their frameworks.
This comes amid growing recognition that state-level policy coherence is critical to the mission's success — federal targets can only be met if state governments align procurement, land, and grid infrastructure decisions accordingly.
Refinery Sector Contracts Awarded
In a significant step toward mainstreaming green hydrogen in the industrial sector, contracts have been awarded for the supply of 30,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL). The move marks one of the first large-scale commercial deployment commitments under the mission.
What Comes Next
With the certification portal now live and state policies taking shape, the mission enters a critical execution phase. Industry observers note that electrolyser cost trajectories, green power availability, and offtake certainty will determine whether India can meet its green hydrogen targets on schedule. The government's next steps on demand creation and export frameworks are being closely watched by both domestic manufacturers and international partners.