Hydrogen Watts: The Cleaner Indian Future
- Mihika Singhania
- May 12
- 2 min read
Welcome back to Asia in Science! Can a colourless gas power a 4 trillion dollar economy? I mean, it already powers stars, doesn't it?
Hydrogen Watts: The Cleaner Indian Future
Amidst the bustle of global climate negotiations, India has quietly been charting a bold course. The country has been investing heavily in green hydrogen, a fuel made by splitting water using renewable energy. It's odourless, invisible, but promises to make India’s energy future cleaner, leaner, and geopolitically smarter.
Why go green? India imports ~85% of its oil and over 50% of its natural gas. By switching to green hydrogen, it aims not only to cut emissions but also to strengthen energy independence. Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and hydrogen-powered trains are already in testing phases.
Specifically, why hydrogen? It is the most abundant element in the universe, but green hydrogen is special—it’s produced using renewable electricity (think solar and wind) through a process called electrolysis (yes, the chemistry stuff). No carbon emissions. No fossil fuels. Just pure, clean energy.
Electrolysers, the tech that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, are at the heart of this mission. With IIT Madras and IISc Bangalore working with startups and government bodies to scale indigenous green hydrogen tech, Indians are innovating a low-cost, high-efficiency electrolyser.
India launched its National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023 with an ambitious target: produce 5 million metric tonnes annually by 2030, backed by ₹19,744 crores (~$2.4 billion USD). This puts India in the top tier of global hydrogen players, alongside the US, Japan, and Australia. The mission also involves STEM-focused workforce training, local R&D support, and establishing hydrogen hubs for industries like steel, transport, and fertilisers.
The snaking, winding road is tumultuous; Of course, it’s not all sunshine and solar panels. Producing green hydrogen is still cost-intensive—roughly 2-3 times more expensive than conventional hydrogen. Plus, transporting and storing it safely remains a technical challenge. But with sustained investment and global collaborations (like with Japan and the EU), India is on track to become a major exporter of green hydrogen.
India's large-scale bet on green hydrogen is truly inspiring.
I hope you found today’s blog interesting and learned something new. Thank you for reading my blog! Please stay curious and alert for new blogs on Asian scientific contributions and inventions.
-Mihika Singhania
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