New Delhi, Nov 12 (NationPress) The National Green Hydrogen Mission of India is set to generate approximately 125 GW of new renewable energy capacity specifically for green hydrogen production, alongside investments surpassing Rs 8 lakh crore.

This initiative is projected to create over 6 lakh jobs, diminish fossil fuel imports by more than Rs 1 lakh crore, and prevent nearly 50 MMT of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030, as per an official announcement made on Wednesday.

India is undergoing a critical energy transition, aimed at decreasing reliance on fossil fuels while boosting domestic clean energy production. This aligns with the nation's vision to become a developed country by 2047 and achieve Net Zero by 2070. In this context, green hydrogen is emerging as a clean and scalable fuel option, capable of decarbonizing challenging sectors, lessening import reliance on fossil fuels, and bolstering India's energy security and industrial progress, the statement emphasized.

This announcement coincides with the commencement of the UN climate change conference -- COP30 in Brazil. Key topics at the conference are expected to include forest conservation, climate finance, and enhancing global initiatives to reduce emissions and improve resilience.

Green hydrogen is generated through renewable energy sources like solar or wind, rather than fossil fuels. This process involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis, using electricity from solar panels or wind turbines. As of May this year, 19 companies have been assigned a total annual production capacity of 862,000 tonnes of green hydrogen, and 15 firms have been given a 3,000 MW annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity. Additionally, India has initiated a pilot project for green hydrogen in sectors like steel, mobility, and shipping, as stated.

Launched in January 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission has an initial budget of Rs 19,744 crore until the fiscal year 2029-30. This allocation includes Rs 17,490 crore for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program, Rs 1,466 crore for pilot projects, Rs 400 crore for research and development (R&D), and Rs 388 crore for other mission components.

The Mission is built on four essential pillars: policy and regulatory framework, demand generation, research and development & innovation, and the establishment of supporting infrastructure and ecosystem development, aiming to position India as a global leader in green hydrogen production, utilization, and export.

To support the Mission's objectives, the government has rolled out various schemes to boost the production and application of green hydrogen, foster domestic manufacturing and exports, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance public-private partnerships.

In October 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) recognized three major ports - the Deendayal Port Authority (Gujarat), V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (Tamil Nadu), and Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) - as Green Hydrogen Hubs under the NGHM. These coastal facilities will act as integrated centers for production, consumption, and future export.

The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) was launched in April 2025 to provide a national structure for certifying hydrogen as "green" by evaluating its greenhouse gas emissions throughout the production cycle. This scheme guarantees that only hydrogen produced using renewable energy and within specified emission limits can be officially labeled as green hydrogen. It promotes transparency, traceability, and credibility for producers, consumers, and export markets.

A dedicated Rs 400 crore R&D initiative under the Mission is currently facilitating 23 innovative projects in areas such as hydrogen production, safety systems, storage, and industrial applications. Furthermore, a Rs 100 crore Call for Proposals has been initiated to support start-ups focusing on advanced technologies for hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization, offering funding of up to Rs 5 crore per project. These efforts aim to develop globally competitive technologies and lower costs across the hydrogen value chain, as highlighted in the statement.