Driving India’s Green Hydrogen Momentum

The discussion offered a detailed and forward-looking perspective on India’s rapidly evolving green hydrogen ecosystem, bringing into focus the scale of transformation required to meet the country’s clean energy ambitions. With decarbonisation becoming central to economic and industrial policy, green hydrogen is increasingly positioned as a critical pillar in enabling deep emission reductions across sectors such as transport, refining, fertilisers, and heavy industry. Held during the 2nd Global Hydrogen & Renewable Energy Summit in Kovalam on 13th March 2026, the conversation highlighted how India is not only responding to global climate imperatives but is also leveraging this transition as an opportunity to build long-term energy security and industrial competitiveness.

Since the launch of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, significant momentum has been observed in aligning policy direction with industry participation. The mission has created a structured pathway for investment, innovation, and capacity building, signalling strong intent from the government to catalyse the hydrogen economy. The ecosystem is gradually taking shape, supported by initiatives aimed at scaling production, fostering research and development, and enabling pilot deployments across key sectors. However, the discussion also made it clear that while the ambition is strong, execution will depend on practical, cost-driven strategies and coordinated action across stakeholders.

A central theme that emerged was the need to strike a balance between long-term vision and immediate, actionable steps. Rather than waiting for perfect conditions, early-stage deployments and incremental progress were identified as essential to building confidence in hydrogen technologies. This approach allows stakeholders to test business models, optimise costs, and develop the infrastructure needed for future scale. In this context, the role of industry leaders, policymakers, and technology providers becomes critical in shaping a collaborative and resilient ecosystem.

Speaker Perspectives

Sivaramakrishnan G Iyer, Principal Consultant, Quantech Energy Solutions & Services (QESS)

The progress made since the introduction of the National Green Hydrogen Mission reflects a strong alignment between policy intent and industry response. India’s hydrogen ecosystem is evolving with a clear focus on three foundational pillars: infrastructure development, technological advancement, and regulatory support. Each of these elements is essential in creating a self-sustaining ecosystem capable of supporting large-scale hydrogen production and utilisation.

Infrastructure development remains one of the most critical enablers in this transition. Building production facilities, storage systems, and transportation networks requires not only capital investment but also careful planning to ensure efficiency and scalability. At the same time, advancements in electrolyser technology are playing a pivotal role in reducing the cost of green hydrogen production. Continued innovation in this space is expected to improve efficiency, lower energy consumption, and enhance the overall competitiveness of green hydrogen compared to conventional fuels. Policy frameworks have also emerged as a key driver in accelerating adoption. By providing clarity, incentives, and long-term direction, policies help reduce uncertainty for investors and industry players. The emphasis on creating a supportive regulatory environment ensures that stakeholders can move forward with confidence, knowing that their investments are aligned with national priorities. Taken together, these efforts are gradually positioning India as a potential global hub for green hydrogen, capable of not only meeting domestic demand but also contributing to international markets.

Motti Thomas, Director of Global Sales, Fluitron

One of the most pressing challenges in the early stages of hydrogen deployment is managing costs effectively. Infrastructure, particularly refuelling systems, often becomes a major contributor to overall project expenses. The tendency to overengineer solutions, while well-intentioned, can significantly increase capital requirements, making projects less viable and slowing down adoption. A more pragmatic approach was emphasised as a way forward. Instead of investing in complex and highly sophisticated systems from the outset, starting with basic dispenser solutions can provide a more cost-effective entry point. This strategy allows projects to move forward with reduced financial burden while still delivering functional and safe refuelling capabilities. The potential savings, estimated at nearly ₹1.5 crore, can make a substantial difference in the feasibility of early-stage deployments.

This approach also supports faster implementation timelines. By simplifying infrastructure requirements, developers can avoid delays associated with complex engineering and regulatory approvals. As a result, hydrogen mobility projects can be deployed more quickly, allowing stakeholders to gain valuable operational experience and build market confidence. Over time, as demand grows and technologies mature, infrastructure can be upgraded in a phased manner, ensuring that investments remain aligned with actual needs rather than anticipated demand.

Nitin Seth, CEO, New Mobility, Reliance Industries Ltd

The transition to hydrogen mobility is fundamentally driven by the end user. While policy support and technological advancements are important, the ultimate success of hydrogen as a fuel will depend on its ability to compete with existing alternatives in terms of cost, convenience, and reliability. The concept of total cost of ownership (TCO) becomes central in this context, as it determines whether customers perceive hydrogen-powered solutions as a viable option.

Achieving TCO parity with conventional fuels, particularly diesel, is a critical milestone for widespread adoption. This requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses both production and distribution costs. Reducing the cost of hydrogen production through improved efficiency and economies of scale is one aspect, while optimising refuelling infrastructure and supply chains is another. Together, these efforts can help bring down the overall cost of hydrogen mobility solutions.

Equally important is the user experience. For hydrogen mobility to gain acceptance, it must offer a seamless and reliable experience comparable to or better than existing fuel options. This includes factors such as refuelling time, availability of stations, vehicle performance, and safety. Policy incentives can play a supportive role by bridging initial cost gaps and encouraging early adoption. However, long-term success will depend on the industry’s ability to deliver solutions that meet customer expectations without reliance on subsidies.

Rajesh Badhe, Chief General Manager (Hydrogen), Indian Oil Corporation Limited

The current hydrogen landscape is dominated by grey hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas and associated with significant carbon emissions. While this form of hydrogen has supported industrial applications for decades, it is not aligned with the goals of decarbonisation. Transitioning to cleaner alternatives is therefore essential, but it must be approached in a way that balances environmental benefits with economic feasibility.

Blue hydrogen, which incorporates carbon capture and storage (CCS), was highlighted as a practical intermediate solution. By capturing and storing the carbon emissions generated during production, blue hydrogen offers a way to significantly reduce the environmental impact while utilising existing infrastructure. This makes it a cost-effective option in the near term, particularly for industries that are already reliant on hydrogen.

The adoption of blue hydrogen can serve as a bridge to a fully green hydrogen economy. It allows stakeholders to begin reducing emissions immediately, without waiting for green hydrogen technologies to achieve full cost competitiveness. At the same time, it provides an opportunity to develop the infrastructure, supply chains, and market mechanisms needed for a future transition. This phased approach ensures that progress is continuous and economically sustainable, rather than being delayed by technological or financial constraints.

Key Insights

• The discussion reinforced that cost and economic viability remain at the heart of the hydrogen transition. Achieving parity with diesel in terms of total cost of ownership is particularly important for heavy-duty mobility, where margins are tight and operational costs play a decisive role. Reducing costs across the value chain—from production and storage to transportation and refuelling—will be essential in unlocking large-scale adoption.
• At the same time, gaps in infrastructure and policy support need to be addressed to create a more balanced ecosystem. While production-focused incentives have laid a strong foundation, extending similar support to refuelling stations, storage systems, and logistics networks will be critical in ensuring end-to-end viability. Without this, growth may remain uneven, with supply outpacing the ability to deliver hydrogen to end users efficiently.
• Another key takeaway is that hydrogen technologies are largely proven and safe, particularly in industrial and heavy mobility applications. The challenge lies not in technological readiness but in scaling these solutions in a cost-effective manner. Phased deployment models, combined with continuous innovation, can help overcome these barriers and accelerate adoption.
• Finally, the importance of an integrated ecosystem cannot be overstated. Collaboration between government, industry, and academia will be essential in addressing challenges related to skilling, financing, and regulatory frameworks. By working together, stakeholders can create a cohesive environment that supports innovation, reduces risk, and enables the transition from pilot projects to large-scale implementation.

Conclusion

The panel discussion presented a nuanced and pragmatic view of India’s hydrogen journey, emphasising that the path to a green hydrogen economy will be defined as much by practical decision-making as by long-term ambition. The insights shared highlighted the importance of starting small but thinking big—adopting cost-effective solutions in the early stages while building the foundation for future scale.

Also Read | Cochin Airport Sets Global Benchmark in Clean Energy Transition

The emphasis on customer-driven adoption, supported by competitive pricing and reliable infrastructure, reflects a clear understanding of market dynamics. At the same time, the recognition of blue hydrogen as a transitional pathway demonstrates a willingness to embrace flexible and realistic approaches to decarbonisation. These perspectives underscore the need for a balanced strategy that integrates technological innovation with economic considerations.  As India continues to advance its hydrogen agenda, the success of this transition will depend on the ability to align policy, industry, and technology in a cohesive manner. With sustained focus on cost optimisation, infrastructure development, and ecosystem collaboration, the vision of a robust and globally competitive hydrogen economy is well within reach.

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