Is India Set to Lead the Global Hydrogen Transition?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India targets 5 MMT of green hydrogen production by 2030.
- Cost of green hydrogen has decreased to $3 per kg.
- Public sector units to achieve a 1 MMT capacity.
- India aims for 10% of the global hydrogen market.
- Significant reforms have been implemented in the energy sector.
New Delhi, Sep 27 (NationPress) The hydrogen revolution in India has officially commenced, with the nation aiming for an impressive 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen production annually by 2030, as stated by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday.
This ambitious target has already resulted in a decrease in the cost of green hydrogen from $3.50 per kilogram (kg) to $3 per kg, leading to a remarkable $150 billion in import savings.
According to the union minister's post on X, public sector units (PSUs) are on track to achieve a 1 MMT capacity by 2030, with tenders increasing from 42 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA) to 170 KTPA.
Puri highlighted that India is progressing toward capturing 10 percent of the global hydrogen market under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, green hydrogen projects totaling approximately 900 KTPA capacity have already been awarded to 19 companies.
In another post on X, the minister remarked that India is strategically positioned in the global energy landscape as the third-largest energy consumer, the third-largest crude importer, and the fourth-largest refiner.
With 651.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) of recoverable crude oil and 1,138.6 billion cubic meters (BCM) of recoverable natural gas, the country is prepared to unveil significant energy opportunities, Puri stated.
The government is dedicated to substantial investments, fiscal incentives, and policy simplification to stimulate upstream activities.
Puri further noted that the last decade has witnessed significant reforms, shifting from a new exploration licensing policy (NELP) to a hydrocarbon exploration and licensing policy (HELP), and transitioning from a ‘production sharing’ regime to a ‘revenue sharing’ regime, which included launching open acreage licensing policy (OALP) rounds.
The OALP Round X was the largest bidding round ever, with an area of 1.92 lakh sq km offered.
“Our endeavors have yielded substantial results. Investments totaling Rs 1.4 lakh crore in exploration and production (E&P) have catalyzed remarkable progress, with 578 wells drilled in FY25, marking ONGC’s highest in 35 years, and over 5,000 exploratory and development wells, including robust offshore programs,” the minister emphasized.