POLICY & MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

• SECI Floats India’s Largest Green Ammonia Tender: SECI has issued a landmark tender under the SIGHT Scheme to procure 724,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually for 13 fertilizer plants, aiming to decarbonize India's fertilizer sector by replacing fossil fuel–based ammonia with renewable-powered production. The tender, first floated on June 7, 2024, with an initial bid deadline of June 26, 2025, has now been extended to June 30, 2025. SECI will act as the demand aggregator and will sign 10-year offtake agreements, offering Production-Linked Incentives of USD 0.10/kg, USD 0.083/kg, and USD 0.062/kg over the first three years totalling USD 179.32 million to support project viability. A Payment Security Mechanism is also in place to protect suppliers against payment delays, while an e-reverse auction model ensures transparent price discovery. With India consuming 17–19 million tonnes of ammonia annually—over half currently produced using imported natural gas—this initiative is expected to reduce import dependence, lower emissions (green hydrogen emits <2 kg CO₂/kg vs. 12 kg CO₂/kg for grey hydrogen), bolster energy security, decrease the trade deficit, and generate employment. Link

• India-EU Trade Talks Focus on GH2 Exports via Rotterdam and Antwerp Ports: India and the European Union are leveraging their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations to facilitate green hydrogen trade by targeting two key European gas hubs. According to Mr. SK Sarangi, Secretary in India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, talks include reducing import duties on green hydrogen and smoothing logistics for exports through the ports of Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Antwerp (Belgium). These discussions, held under the India‑EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (CECP), aim to support the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy and India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. Link

• India Proposes Dual-Coloured Number Plates for Hydrogen Vehicles: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification on June 26, 2025, proposing a new color-coded number plate system for hydrogen-powered vehicles in India. The move aims to facilitate easy identification and promote the adoption of green mobility. As per the proposal, commercial hydrogen vehicles will have a number plate with a green upper half, blue lower half, and yellow lettering. Private hydrogen vehicles will feature the same dual-color scheme with white lettering, while hydrogen-powered rental cabs will have black on the upper half, blue on the lower half, and yellow figures. This initiative is in line with the government’s efforts to encourage clean fuel alternatives and mirrors the earlier policy of green plates for electric vehicles. The draft is currently open for stakeholder comments. Link , Link

• 13 R&D Plants Underway, PSU Refineries to Float More Tenders: India's green hydrogen push is gaining momentum with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirming that nine R&D and demonstration plants are currently under construction and four have already been commissioned by IOCL, GAIL, HPCL, and BPCL. So far, tenders have been floated for 42 KTPA (kilo tonnes per annum) of green hydrogen capacity, and an additional 128 KTPA of tenders will be issued by PSU refineries based on outcomes from existing bids via initiatives estimated at USD 23 billion. The government’s efforts span the full value chain—production, transportation, storage, and application, reflecting a comprehensive strategy for green energy transition. Link

• MNRE Calls for Investment to Accelerate India’s Green Hydrogen Mission: At the CII International Business Conclave on Green Hydrogen, Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik urged global and domestic firms to invest in India’s green hydrogen ecosystem, highlighting its role in energy security and industrial competitiveness. He called for collaboration in R&D, infrastructure, and skill development. Under the SIGHT program, tenders have been issued for 42,000 TPA (tonnes per annum) of green hydrogen and 720,000 TPA of green ammonia. Partnerships with countries like the EU, Japan, and Germany are underway for offtake, certification, and infrastructure. Government officials and industry leaders emphasized the need for policy support, subsidies, and create long-term demand to scale the sector. Link

• GH2 Blending in Refining, Fertilisers Can Unlock 3 MMT Demand by 2030: Report: A joint report by CII, Bain & Company, and Rocky Mountain Institute titled “From Promise to Purchase: Unlocking India’s Green Hydrogen Demand”—launched at the CII Green Hydrogen Conclave—finds that blending green hydrogen into existing industrial processes in oil refining, fertiliser production, and PNG could create around 3 MMT of demand by 2030. Specifically, substituting up to 40% of hydrogen in refineries could unlock about 2 MMT, while a 20% blend in fertilisers could yield 0.9 MMT, and up to 0.1 MMT could come from PNG blending. The report further identifies demand opportunities in niche sectors like chemicals, glass, and ceramics (~0.07 MMT), along with public green-steel procurement (~0.6 MMT), and green exports—hydrogen, ammonia, and steel—for an additional 0.8–1.1 MMT. It suggests that unlockable demand across these channels would help India reach its 5 MMT production target by 2030, reinforcing the need for policy support such as blending mandates, long-term offtake contracts, carbon pricing, and low-cost financing. The report emphasizes that demand-side interventions—mainly blending green hydrogen into high-volume sectors, utilizing public procurement, and tapping export markets—are essential to turn India’s green hydrogen ambition into tangible scale and market readiness. Link

• India Eyes 40% Cut in Green Hydrogen Costs by 2025: India’s green hydrogen production costs are projected to fall by up to 40% by 2025, driven by supportive policies under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. A report by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) states that government incentives like transmission waivers, low GST, and production-linked subsidies are reducing costs. Current prices around USD 4.64/kg may drop to USD 3.04–3.62/kg. However, further policy clarity and long-term demand visibility are essential for sustained growth. Link

• Alfanar Seeks Policy Clarity to Enter India Market: Saudi Arabia’s Alfanar Group is looking to enter India’s green hydrogen market while awaiting a more robust policy and regulatory framework. The company highlighted the absence of bankable offtake mechanisms for green hydrogen, unlike renewable energy projects which benefit from long-term power purchase agreements with entities like NTPC and SECI. Alfanar aims to leverage its global expertise from projects in Egypt and Chile to establish green hydrogen and ammonia facilities in India. The company currently operates 506.5 MW of wind capacity in Gujarat (with 50 MW under development) and has a 1.7 GW renewables portfolio across India, Spain, and Egypt. However, it flagged serious transmission constraints, noting that grid connectivity at CTU/PGCIL substations is unavailable until 2031. Link

• L&T Sets Up New Arm to Develop Green Hydrogen Projects: L&T has launched a wholly-owned subsidiary, Panipat Green Hydrogen Pvt Ltd, under its engineering-and-construction division, L&T Energy Green Tech Ltd, to spearhead the development of green hydrogen and green ammonia projects . The move aligns with India’s Central government initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission. L&T had previously acquired land in Kandla, Gujarat, specifically for setting up green hydrogen and ammonia facilities . Link

• Toyota Kirloskar Partners with Ohmium: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed an MoU with Bengaluru-based Ohmium International to collaborate on integrated green-hydrogen power solutions in India. Under the agreement, Toyota will contribute its expertise in fuel-cell systems, system integration, and supply of PEM fuel-cell modules, while Ohmium will lead the design, development, and performance evaluation of modular PEM electrolyzer‑based microgrid prototypes. The initiative aims to explore scalable hydrogen-powered microgrids for applications such as data centers and remote or environmentally sensitive locations. It represents Toyota’s strategic shift to extend hydrogen technology beyond mobility building on its earlier Mirai FCEV trials and collaborations with Ashok Leyland and the Kerala government into stationary power infrastructure. Link

• Adani Commissions India’s First Off-Grid 5 MW Green Hydrogen Plant in Gujarat: Adani Group, through its clean energy arm Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), has successfully commissioned India’s first off‑grid 5 MW green hydrogen pilot plant in Kutch, Gujarat. Fully powered by on-site solar energy and supported by a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), this facility operates independently of the main electricity grid. The plant features a fully automated, closed‑loop electrolyzer system that adapts dynamically to real‑time solar input, unlocking operational flexibility and addressing solar variability while maintaining efficiency and safety. Serving as a proof-of-concept, it precedes ANIL’s larger Green Hydrogen Hub planned in Mundra, Gujarat. Link

• NTPC Deploys India’s First Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses in Ladakh: India’s NTPC Limited has handed over five hydrogen fuel cell buses to the Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDCO) in Leh, marking India’s first commercial deployment of hydrogen buses. These buses will operate on the world's highest-altitude motorable roads from a hydrogen fuelling station located at 11,562 ft, powered by a 1.7 MW solar plant. The closed-loop system dispenses hydrogen at 350 bar and is designed to function in sub-zero, high-altitude conditions. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 350 metric tonnes annually and produce around 230 metric tonnes of pure oxygen—equivalent to planting 13,000 trees. Link
• Greenzo Energy Secures USD 38 million Order from Oswal Energies: Greenzo Energy India Ltd. has secured a significant USD 38 million contract from Oswal Energies Ltd. to supply electrolysers and Balance of Plant (BoP) equipment for a 20 MW green hydrogen facility in Gujarat, with project execution planned under a build‑operate‑transfer (BOT) model. The scope includes Greenzo’s indigenously developed electrolysers and integrated BoP systems, while Oswal Energies will manage engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities. Link

• IH2A Secretariat Lead, Amrit Singh Deo, participated in a panel discussion and shared insights on how all stakeholders are working together to create a cost-effective ecosystem for the development of green hydrogen and what roles need to be played by the industry as well as government to move the needle at this critical juncture. The panel discussion was organised by Indian Chemical News as part of their flagship NextGen Chemicals & Petrochemicals Summit 2025, organised in Mumbai on June 18-19. Link

• On May 8, IH2A organized a virtual media briefing and issued a press release on the need for Hydrogen Purchase Obligations (HPOs) to achieve National Green Hydrogen Mission target. Link
• IH2A participated in the panel discussion on "New and Emerging Areas in Clean Energy" at the India Infrastructure Forum 2025. Key point made by IH2A is that the mandates or HPOs, or other demand-side measures such as Japan's CfD (contract for difference), are required to encourage the development of a domestic green hydrogen market. Link
• IH2A participated in the PtX Green Shipping training organised by the Indo-German Energy Forum Support Office (IGEF-SO) and advocated for the creation of Green Hydrogen Hubs (each hub encouraged to integrate multiple sectors for optimal hydrogen usage) for supporting the green hydrogen ecosystem. Link

POLICY & MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

• India, EU launch $22 million hydrogen tech push: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has partnered with the European Union under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council to fund joint projects converting biogenic waste to renewable hydrogen. Backed by $10.8 million from MNRE and $10.9 million from Horizon Europe, each project may receive up to $5.4 million from India or $5.45 million from the EU. Aligned with India’s Green Hydrogen Mission and EU climate goals, projects will span 36–48 months, starting post-June 2026. Link
• Finance Ministry seeks lower energy prices before giving incentives: India's finance ministry is reportedly awaiting a reduction in green hydrogen prices before approving financial support for green steel production. Steel producers have been seeking incentives to decarbonize operations, with discussions focusing on mandating a percentage of green steel in government projects. However, the finance ministry has expressed concerns that high green hydrogen costs could render green steel unviable and potentially inflationary. Deliberations between the ministries have been slowed, as the finance ministry cautions against a hasty approach, emphasizing the need for a balanced strategy between growth and sustainability. Link
• India, Norway discuss deeper maritime ties with focus on green technologies: India and Norway are strengthening their maritime collaboration, focusing on green technologies, electric ferries, and sustainable shipbuilding. During the Nor-Shipping event in Oslo, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal engaged with Norwegian counterparts to discuss advancements in green maritime technologies, ferry system electrification, ship recycling, and cooperation in the blue economy . The two nations are exploring joint ventures in electric ferry manufacturing and integrating AI-driven port management systems. Additionally, they are considering joint initiatives at India's Alang Ship Recycling Yard to promote sustainable ship-breaking practices. This partnership aligns with India's Maritime Vision 2030 and Vision 2047, aiming to bolster sustainable maritime infrastructure and digitalization. Link
• BPCL commissions 5MW green hydrogen plant: State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has commissioned a 5MW green hydrogen plant at its Bina Refinery in Madhya Pradesh, its first and among India’s largest such facilities. The plant is expected to produce over 780 tonnes of green hydrogen annually, powered by two 500 Nm³/hr electrolysers. Construction and installation were completed in just 15 months, marking a significant step in India's push toward clean energy. Link
• IOCL finalizes green hydrogen project at Panipat: State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) has finalised the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCoH) for setting up a 10,000 tonnes per annum green hydrogen generation unit at its Panipat refinery and petrochemical complex in Haryana. The commissioning is expected by December 2027. Earlier in May, L&T Energy Green Tech secured a bid to construct a 10,000 tonnes per annum green hydrogen plant at IOCL's Panipat refinery, outbidding NTPC Renewable Energy and Renew E Fuels. The project, based on a build, own, operate model for 25 years, will see L&T supplying green hydrogen at $4.64 per kg. Link 1, Link 2
• NTPC Green, Honeywell to explore SAF production in India: Honeywell announced a partnership with NTPC Green Energy to explore sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in India. SAF, made from non-petroleum sources, aims to reduce emissions in air transport. The collaboration will focus on Honeywell’s eFining technology, which converts CO₂ captured from NTPC’s power plants and green hydrogen into SAF. NTPC Green Energy plans to expand its green fuel offerings by blending SAF with traditional jet fuels, supporting its broader sustainability projects. Link
• German, Indian firms agree to co-develop green hydrogen, ammonia project in AP: Juno Joule Green Energy Pvt Ltd, based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh has entered into a MoU with Germany's Select Energy GmbH to co-develop a $1.3 billion green hydrogen and ammonia production facility in Andhra Pradesh. Situated near the under-construction Mulapeta Port, the project aims to produce one million tonnes of green ammonia annually for export to Europe and Asia. The facility is designed to meet stringent EU Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin standards and is expected to commence construction in 2026. Link
• India sets 2030 target for 1,000 hydrogen trucks and buses under Green Hydrogen Mission: India, under its National Green Hydrogen Mission, has announced an ambitious plan to deploy over 1,000 hydrogen-powered trucks and buses by 2030, with at least 50 vehicles expected on the road by 2025. The initiative focuses on decarbonizing medium- and heavy-duty transport, a segment less suited for battery electrification due to payload and range limitations. Leading automakers such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Olectra Greentech are actively piloting hydrogen vehicles, with support from public and private energy players including Indian Oil, BPCL, HPCL, and Reliance.  Link
• State-run refiners announce $23 billion green hydrogen investment plan: India’s public sector oil refiners are set to invest approximately $23.3 billion in green hydrogen projects as part of the country’s push toward clean energy and industrial decarbonization. Union Petroleum Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, confirmed that tenders have already been issued for 42 kilotonnes per annum (KTPA) of green hydrogen, with another 128 KTPA to be tendered shortly. In terms of infrastructure, nine green hydrogen R&D and demo plants are under construction, and four have already been commissioned by IOCL, GAIL, HPCL, and BPCL. Link

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

• EU accelerates renewable hydrogen development with  $1.1B funding: The European Commission has selected 15 renewable hydrogen projects under its second European Hydrogen Bank auction, granting nearly $1.13 billion across Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, and Norway. The projects aim to produce 2.2 million tonnes of hydrogen over 10 years, potentially avoiding over 15 million tonnes of CO₂. Spain leads with eight projects; Norway’s three focus on maritime applications. Subsidies range from $0.23 to $2.15/kg, with individual grants between $9.1M  and $280.8M. If all projects proceed to Final Investment Decision(FID), Europe’s electrolyser capacity would nearly double from ~2.7 GW to 5 GW. Agreements are expected by September–October 2025. Link , Link

• Global leaders reaffirm commitment to international hydrogen supply chains at World Hydrogen Summit 2025: At the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, global governments and industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing international hydrogen and derivative supply chains through the International Hydrogen Trade Forum (IHTF), coordinated by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). They noted hydrogen project investments (post-FID) have surged 7× since 2020 i.e. from $10 billion in 2020 (102 projects) to $75 billion (434 projects) in 2024. The stakeholders emphasized three priorities: strengthening financial support mechanisms, maximizing socio-economic benefits for both exporting and importing countries, and fostering lead markets and infrastructure for hydrogen-based products like low-carbon steel, fertilizer and synthetic fuels. Link , Link
• Australia risks losing edge in global hydrogen race: A Wood Mackenzie analysis warns Australia is falling behind despite its clean-energy potential. About 80% of Australia’s “low-carbon” H₂ projects are still at early development, and several major projects have been cancelled. High production costs (EPC, power) mean Australia’s levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is roughly $10+/kg, far above its customers’ displacing cost ($0.80–1.00/kg).The report suggests that more direct financial support is essential to spur investment and close the gap with other countries, noting that the United States offers significantly higher subsidies. Exploring blue hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels with carbon capture, is proposed as a transitional strategy despite political resistance. Link
• Iraq advances Green Hydrogen and Blue Ammonia initiatives: Iraq's National Investment Commission (NIC) has convened a high-level meeting to explore investment opportunities in green hydrogen and blue ammonia projects, marking a strategic move to diversify the nation's energy sources and accelerate its transition to renewable energy. The meeting highlighted hydrogen’s potential for job creation and energy security and discussed renewable energy and biofuels plans in light of Iraq’s oil dependence. Link
• China enters strategic phase of Hydrogen Industry Development: China’s hydrogen sector is transitioning from fragmented pilots to a coordinated national development. In June 2025, the National Energy Administration reported that China’s hydrogen industry has entered a “new phase of orderly breakthroughs”. Hydrogen was officially incorporated into China’s first Energy Law (effective Jan 2025), giving it clear legal status as a future energy source. Over 20 provinces mention hydrogen in their government work plans, and hundreds of local policies support hydrogen R&D, demonstration, and standards. The central government is rolling out policies to strengthen infrastructure, safety standards and market integration for hydrogen. Link, Link

-IH2A proposes 10% HPO for existing Refinery, Ammonia Plants; 100% HPO for new plants by 2030-

-HPOs for 47 Refinery, Ammonia Plants can create 1.5 MT hydrogen demand by 2030, NGHM domestic target-

-NGHM 2030 targets, USD 80 bn hydrogen investments at risk without HPOs, Demand Side Support-

Mumbai/Delhi, May 8, 2025 – India Hydrogen Alliance (“IH2A”) has made a formal submission to the Government of India proposing Hydrogen Purchase Obligations (HPOs) and Demand Side support for Refineries and Ammonia Plants, 10% HPO for existing plants and 100% HPO for new plants by 2030, to achieve the NGHM 2030 target of 1.5 MT green hydrogen for domestic use in India. IH2A has submitted that without HPOs and adequate offtake and demand creation, NGHM 2030 targets and combined hydrogen-related investments worth USD 80 bn are at risk.

India’s installed electrolyser base is currently <40 MW producing 10,600 MTPA of green hydrogen, which accounts for <1% of NGHM 2030 target of 1.5 MMT for domestic consumption. IH2A has, in its submission to the Government of India, stated that HPOs are critical for meeting NGHM 2030 targets and protecting the public announced hydrogen-related investments in excess of USD 80 bn in India. According to IH2A, without HPOs and Demand Support, planned hydrogen plants and supply projects risk becoming stranded assets.

IH2A has proposed HPOs to replace current grey hydrogen industrial offtake with green hydrogen, as feedstock in Refinery and Ammonia sectors, across 47 existing and proposed plants in India. The IH2A proposed HPOs are divided into the following:

 

1.Aggregated Industrial hydrogen Offtake in 39 Existing Domestic Projects, across 17 Refineries and 22 Ammonia plants, through a 10% HPO to meet 45% NGHM target by 2030 (672,000 MT).

2.Accelerated Industrial hydrogen Offtake in 8 New Build / Expansion projects across 5 Refinery & 3 Fertilizers plants, through 100% HPOs to meet 55% NGHM target by 2030 (849,000 MT)

 

Amrit Singh Deo, IH2A Secretariat lead, said, “The Government should consider mandatory Hydrogen Purchase Obligations (HPOs) to induce industrial domestic hydrogen offtake in Refineries and Ammonia sectors to meet NGHM 2030 targets. Mandated HPOs can replicate the success of RPOs from the Renewable Energy sector . Without HPOs and demand support, the combined announced USD 80 bn hydrogen related investments are at risk. Refineries and Fertilizers should have a Common Hydrogen Use and Demand Roadmap to aggregate demand and procure green hydrogen volumes of at least 10% till 2030. Once HPOs are introduced, India can look at the Japan Contract-for-Difference (CfD) framework to part-fund the green hydrogen transition by Refinery and Ammonia sector by 2030, and reduce carbon emissions in these two hard-to-abate sectors.”

 

IH2A estimates that an additional budget allocation for a USD 2 bn CfD framework, for refineries and fertilizers, can support the transition of all existing refinery and fertilizer plants to 10% HPO offtake and all new plants to 100% HPO offtake by 2030.

India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A)'s analysis shows a 10% Hydrogen Purchase Obligations (HPOs) for 39 existing sites, 17 refineries and 22 ammonia plants would contribute 672,000 tonnes, or 45% of India’s 2030 green hydrogen target. For new or expanded plants, IH2A recommends the government a 100% HPO to deliver the remaining 849,000 tonnes.

Day 2 of the PtX Green Shipping training began with a presentation by Ms. Kerban Billimoria Rajdeo, India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A).

Ms. Rajdeo highlighted that the India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A) collaborates extensively with the private sector and has strongly advocated for the creation of #GreenHydrogenHubs (each hub encouraged to integrate multiple sectors for optimal hydrogen usage) for supporting the ecosystem since 2022.

She shared key takeaways from the whitepaper published by IH2A last year, titled “Hydrogen Derivatives and Low Carbon Fuel Assessment 2025–30.” She also made a case for adopting low-carbon maritime fuels for coastal shipping in #India.

An insightful panel discussion on "New and Emerging Areas in Clean Energy" at the India Infrastructure Forum 2025.

“Compressed biogas has received significant policy focus lately. SATAT scheme has been a big growth driver in this respect, where oil marketing companies are now offtaking CBG. Blending of CBG in CNG is also encouraging growth. However, challenges still exist in terms of technology risks, feedstock uncertainty and financing.” - Nayantara Nag, Partner, Trilegal

“There is no single silver bullet to achieve clean energy transition. We need a mixture of various clean energy resources to reach our net zero targets. Certain sectors need to be identified as priorities for decarbonisation. Climate finance taxonomy, is thus, going to be a key priority for the clean energy sector now.” - Sourabh Mukherjee, Executive Vice-President - Clean Energy and Sustainability, Tata Projects

“Bulk of grey hydrogen is currently going towards fertilisers and refineries. India has a target of 5 MMT of annual green hydrogen production by 2030, which looks quite challenging, considering very few projects are under construction and under FID stage. Demand side measures are required to encourage the development of a domestic market.” - Prasanto Kumar Roy, India Hydrogen Alliance and MD, FTI Consulting

Green Hydrogen's Moment of Truth?

India uses over 7 million tonnes of hydrogen a year, almost all of it from fossil-fuel sources. Green hydrogen is a fraction of one percent of that total, over two years into the National Green Hydrogen Mission, making the Mission's FY30 target of 5MMT of green hydrogen very challenging. The right policy intervention can change this, said India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A)'s Prasanto Kumar Roy in his opening keynote at the Conference on Green Hydrogen in India on April 22 in New Delhi.

A mere 1-2% GH2 mandate for the Petroleum and Fertilizer sectors would move the needle immediately, and a 5% mandate could transform India's decarbonization journey.

Hydrogen Purchase Obligations (HPOs) could do to the green hydrogen economy what RPOs did for the solar industry, and help unlock the $4–5 billion in funding on the table from multilaterals like European Investment Bank (EIB) and The World Bank, to support the growth of India’s green hydrogen sector.

India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A) welcomes Upendra Tripathy as Honorary Global Advisor to accelerate India’s green hydrogen transition.

With over four decades of leadership in renewable energy policy and implementation, Mr Tripathy brings unparalleled expertise to advance India’s green hydrogen ecosystem, focusing on demand creation and large-scale commercialization.

We look forward to working with him to drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth in India’s clean energy future.

Former DG ISA and former Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to support industry on hydrogen demand creation, hydrogen price discovery and learnings from National Solar Mission NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI, April 22, 2025: India Hydrogen Alliance (“IH2A”) today announced that Shri Upendra Tripathy, former Director General of International Solar Alliance (ISA) and former Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has joined India Hydrogen Alliance as Honorary Global Advisor. Shri Upendra Tripathy will be advising the industry and all hydrogen stakeholders on demand aggregation, hydrogen price discovery and support to replicate the success of the National Solar Mission in the hydrogen eco-system in India. Shri Upendra Tripathy, a recipient of Indian Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, was the former and Founding Director General of International Solar Alliance. Prior to that, he was Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (2014-2016) where he helped articulate the national Renewable Energy (RE) target of 175 GW RE by 2022, and headed the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) as Chairperson, in an ex-officio capacity, helping transformed SECI from a loss making undertaking to a surplus generating PSU. He was also been the Chairperson of National Institute of Solar Energy, National Institute of Wind Energy, National Institute of Bio Energy and Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS), and coordinated implementation of India's Green Energy Corridor. He is an Adjunct Professor at NIAS (National Institute of Advanced Studies). Shri Upendra Tripathy is volunteering his over 42 years of policy making and implementation experience, as Honorary Advisor for IH2A towards helping build the green hydrogen economy in India, working with industry operating across the hydrogen value chain, multilateral agencies, think tanks, technical agencies and state government agencies. Shri Upendra Tripathy, Honorary Global Advisor to IH2A and former Director General, International Solar Alliance (ISA), said, “I am looking forward to working as honorary global advisor to the industry to commercialize green hydrogen by replicating the learnings from the National Solar Mission. India’s green hydrogen mission is a unique opportunity. The national ambitions of 5 MTPA green hydrogen by 2030, 125GW of Renewable Energy for Green Hydrogen, over INR 800,000 crores investments announced, potential to create 600,000 new hydrogen economy jobs and 50 MTPA of carbon abatement, that is expected in the next 5-6 years is a sign of the transformation that the hydrogen transition is expected to achieve. For India, this is well begun and half done.” Amrit Singh Deo, IH2A Secretariat lead, said, “We are honoured to have Shri Upendra Tripathy onboard as Honorary Global Advisor and will work closely to ensure India is able to replicate the success of the National Solar Mission in Green Hydrogen. We have started to see early captive industrial green hydrogen projects being commissioned in India. This is real progress from a project development standpoint. We are confident that India will see having more green hydrogen projects move to Financial Investment Decision (FID) stage and look forward to working closely with Shri Upendra Tripathy to enable this.” About India H2 Alliance (IH2A) The India H2 Alliance is an industry coalition of global and Indian companies committed to the creation of a hydrogen value-chain and economy in India. IH2A collaborates with private sector partners, the government and the public to ensure that costs of hydrogen production are brought down, a local supply chain for hydrogen and related applications grows and India is able to achieve its net-zero carbon ambitions by developing a hydrogen economy that complements its national renewable energy and EV/battery-technology plans. More information on IH2A and its activities, is available at www.IH2A.com.

• India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A) welcomed Upendra Tripathy, former Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and former Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, as Honorary Global Advisor to accelerate India’s green hydrogen transition. Link

• IH2A’s Prasanto K Roy addressed Renewable Watch’ 9th edition of their annual conference on Green Hydrogen in India. Link

POLICY & MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

• India and Saudi deepen energy ties: Saudi Arabia and India have agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, petrochemicals, and climate-related sectors following a meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A key outcome was a joint agreement to establish two oil refineries. The two countries are expanding their energy partnership to support the clean energy transition, with a focus on hydrogen development, including demand stimulation, technology advancement, and knowledge sharing. They also discussed energy infrastructure collaboration, supply chain development, and improving energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and industry. Link

• MNRE launches Green Hydrogen certification scheme: On April 29, 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) held a national workshop in New Delhi to explore opportunities for MSMEs in India's green hydrogen supply chain. Attended by over 300 stakeholders, including MSMEs, policymakers, and experts, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) to ensure transparency and credibility in hydrogen production. Link

• DPA Launches Green Fuel Hub at Kandla: Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), announced that Kandla will start green hydrogen production by August 2025. As part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the port is developing an ecosystem for green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, with space allocated for Giga-scale plants by major industry players. A 1 MW demonstration plant is being built with L&T's support, and an MoU with NTPC will bring in eleven hydrogen-powered buses to replace diesel ones. DPA also announced plans to establish Kandla as a Methanol Bunker Point on the Rotterdam-Singapore green shipping corridor. Link

• Sembcorp, BPCL form green energy joint venture: Sembcorp and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) have formed a 50:50 joint venture to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects across India. The partnership, through Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India Private Limited, will focus on producing, operating, and selling renewable energy, green hydrogen, and its derivatives. It will also explore green ammonia production, bunkering, emission reduction for port operations, and other emerging green fuel technologies. Link

• Rajasthan hosts first Green Hydrogen glass plant: India has commissioned its first green hydrogen plant for the float glass industry at Asahi India Glass Ltd’s (AIS) facility in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Developed by INOX Air Products (INOXAP) and powered entirely by solar energy, the plant can produce up to 190 tonnes of green hydrogen annually via electrolysis. In the first phase, INOXAP will supply 95 tonnes per year to AIS under a 20-year offtake agreement. Link

• BPCL commissions Green Hydrogen plant in Bina Refinery: BPCL has commissioned its first green hydrogen plants at the Bina Refinery. The 5 MW plant can produce over 780 tonnes of green hydrogen annually and is expected to cut carbon emissions by about 9,000 tonnes per year. BPCL's green hydrogen plant at Bina Refinery features two high-efficiency electrolysers (500 Nm³/hr each) and was completed in a record 15 months, setting new standards for cost-effectiveness and speed among public sector oil firms. Link

• BHEL inks tech transfer with BARC: BHEL has signed a Technology Transfer Agreement with BARC to acquire indigenous Mixed-Matrix Membrane Diaphragm Technology for electrolysers. This cost-effective technology will replace imported materials like Zirfon and asbestos-based diaphragms. With the technology transfer, BHEL plans to fully develop and manufacture alkaline electrolysers domestically, reducing reliance on imports. Link

• India, Netherlands plan green maritime corridor: During his visit to the Netherlands from April 24–26, Indian Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal discussed advancing bilateral trade through joint initiatives like a green maritime corridor. In a meeting with Port of Rotterdam CEO Boudewijn Siemon, both sides expressed interest in partnering on port digitalization, green shipping, and logistics optimization to enhance trade between the two countries. The visit set the foundation for creating a green and digital corridor between the Port of Rotterdam and Indian ports. The discussions focused on exporting green hydrogen and carriers like ammonia and methanol from India to Europe. Link

GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

• Spain gets hydrogen aid from EC: The European Commission has approved $3 million in state aid to Spain to support renewable hydrogen production under the European Hydrogen Bank's Auctions-as-a-Service mechanism. The funding aims to build up to 345 MW of electrolysis capacity and produce up to 221,000 tonnes of renewable hydrogen. Subsidies will be provided per kilogram of hydrogen produced for up to 10 years, with projects required to meet EU standards for renewable fuels of non-fossil origin. The European Agency for Climate, Infrastructure and Environment (CINEA) oversees the competitive selection process for Spain's renewable hydrogen aid, ensuring transparency and minimal market distortion. Link

• Europe projected to miss 2030 hydrogen targets: According to Westwood Global Energy Group, Europe is unlikely to meet its 2030 hydrogen production targets, with only 17% of planned projects expected to proceed without further market intervention. The sector faces challenges including regulatory delays, high costs, and weak demand, leading to the stalling or cancellation of 23 projects by the end of 2024. The UK faces similar issues, with only 1% to 24% of its hydrogen project pipeline likely to be delivered by 2030. The analysis highlights a growing gap between Europe’s hydrogen ambitions and on-the-ground progress, requiring significant policy changes. Link

• ACME gets $140M for green ammonia project: ACME Group has received a $140 million initial payment as part of a $540 million financing package for its green hydrogen and ammonia project in Duqm’s Special Economic Zone, covering 75% of the total $750 million project cost. The project has entered the implementation phase, with key contracts signed, equipment orders placed, and construction underway. Initially, the plant will produce 100,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, with plans to scale up to 1.1 million tonnes. A long-term off-take agreement with Norway’s Yara will see ACME supply 100,000 tonnes per year starting in 2027. Link

• EU, EIB, and KfW back renewable hydrogen projects in Chile: The European Investment Bank (EIB) and KfW will provide up to $226 million in financing for renewable hydrogen projects in Chile, with CORFO acting as the implementing agency. The European Union's Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility will contribute an additional $18.6 million in grants. The project is expected to lead to the development of 150 MW of new renewable energy and 150 MW of new electrolyzer capacity in Chile. Link

• Adani Ports acquire 50 mtpa terminal: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) will acquire 100% of Abbot Point Port Holdings Pte Ltd (APPH) , in a non-cash deal. As part of the transaction, APSEZ will also take on APPH’s non-core assets and liabilities. This acquisition gives APSEZ ownership of NQXT, a high-capacity, deep-water export terminal with a 50 mtpa capacity at the Port of Abbot Point in North Queensland, Australia. NQXT, operated under a long-term lease from the Queensland Government, serves eight major customers through long-term ‘take or pay’ contracts. In FY25, it achieved record cargo volumes, exporting to 15 countries—88% to Asia and 10% to Europe. Link

• Netherlands announces $2.2B Green Hydrogen plan:  The Netherlands has announced a  $2.2 billion package, including over $640 million in subsidies to boost hydrogen demand and a mandatory green gas blending policy, requiring the gradual replacement of fossil gas with cleaner alternatives. It will reopen its Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition Incentive Scheme in 2026 with a $8.5 billion budget. Additionally, the government has allocated $640 million to back state-owned EBN’s role in the Aramis project, which will store CO₂ in former North Sea gas fields. The Dutch government has also suspended the plastic tax due to recycling supply shortages and will collaborate with manufacturers to create a more feasible recycling framework. Link

• Sunita Satyapal Steps Down from DOE: Sunita Satyapal, head of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, is stepping down after nearly 15 years of leadership. During her tenure, she played a key role in launching the U.S. National Hydrogen Strategy, supporting thousands of hydrogen and fuel cell projects, and facilitating billions in public and private investment. She announced her departure from the U.S. Department of Energy after nearly 22 years, including almost 16 years as Director of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. Link