India Ranks Third Globally in Contracted Clean Hydrogen Volumes, Secures 3 Lakh Tonnes Annually

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest country in cumulative contracted clean hydrogen volumes, strengthening its position in the international clean energy market. The country has secured binding contracts for three lakh tonnes of clean hydrogen annually, alongside major green ammonia export agreements covering more than ten lakh tonnes per year.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi announced the development on October 16, 2026, citing the India Transition Factbook 2026 published by Bloomberg New Economy Forum. The findings highlight India’s growing participation in the international market for low-emission fuels and its progress in developing a commercially viable hydrogen industry.

The achievement comes as India accelerates implementation of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to establish the country as a global centre for the production, consumption and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

India Secures Binding Contracts for 300,000 Tonnes of Clean Hydrogen

According to the findings highlighted by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, India ranks third globally in cumulative contracted clean hydrogen volumes, with binding agreements covering 300,000 tonnes of annual supply.

The ranking reflects contracted volumes rather than hydrogen already produced or delivered. Binding contracts represent an important stage in project development because they establish commercial commitments between producers and buyers, helping companies secure financing and plan future production capacity.

Clean hydrogen is emerging as an alternative fuel and industrial feedstock in sectors where reducing emissions through direct electrification presents considerable technical challenges. These include fertiliser manufacturing, petroleum refining, steel production, chemicals and certain transportation applications.

Green hydrogen, a category of clean hydrogen, is produced using renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. This process avoids the carbon emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production from fossil fuels when powered by qualifying renewable electricity.

India’s growing portfolio of contracted hydrogen projects demonstrates increasing commercial interest in domestic production and international supply arrangements.

Green Ammonia Export Agreements Cross One Million Tonnes Annually

Alongside clean hydrogen contracts, India has secured major green ammonia export agreements covering more than one million tonnes annually, according to the figures cited by Minister Pralhad Joshi.

Green ammonia is produced by combining nitrogen with green hydrogen generated using renewable energy. It can serve as a lower-emission alternative to conventionally manufactured ammonia, which depends heavily on hydrogen derived from fossil fuels.

Ammonia is an essential industrial commodity used primarily in fertiliser production. It also has potential applications as a hydrogen carrier and as a fuel for certain maritime and industrial uses.

The international market for green ammonia is developing as countries and industries seek alternatives to carbon-intensive industrial processes. India is positioning its renewable energy resources, industrial capabilities and coastal infrastructure to participate in this emerging trade.

Export agreements provide an important commercial foundation for proposed production facilities by establishing future demand for their products. They also support long-term planning for renewable power generation, electrolyser installations, ammonia synthesis plants, storage facilities and export terminals.

India’s growing green ammonia export commitments reflect the opportunities emerging from the country’s clean energy transition and its expanding engagement with international energy markets.

National Green Hydrogen Mission Drives Industrial Development

The Government of India approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 with an initial financial outlay of ₹19,744 crore. The mission seeks to develop domestic green hydrogen production capabilities while encouraging industrial adoption, investment, research and technological innovation.

The programme aims to establish at least five million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, supported by substantial additions to renewable energy generation capacity.

A central component of the mission is the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition programme, commonly known as SIGHT. It provides financial incentives to support domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.

Government data released in March 2026 confirmed that incentives had been awarded for 8,62,000 metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity across 18 companies. The government had also awarded 3,000 MW of annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity to 15 companies.

These allocations are helping establish the industrial foundation required to manufacture green hydrogen at commercial scale. Domestic electrolyser manufacturing is particularly important because electrolysers are the core equipment used to produce hydrogen from water using electricity.

By encouraging indigenous manufacturing and industrial investment, the mission supports India’s broader objectives of strengthening energy security, reducing dependence on imported technologies and expanding domestic clean energy industries.

Green Ammonia Agreements Strengthen India’s Fertiliser Industry

India is also developing a domestic green ammonia market to reduce the fertiliser industry’s dependence on conventional ammonia produced using fossil fuels.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has conducted competitive auctions for the production and supply of 7,24,000 metric tonnes of green ammonia annually to 13 fertiliser manufacturing units across the country.

In March 2026, the government facilitated the exchange of Green Ammonia Purchase Agreements and Green Ammonia Supply Agreements covering 6,70,000 tonnes annually. These ten-year agreements provide long-term demand certainty for producers and support the development of domestic green ammonia facilities.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy estimates that these arrangements could generate foreign exchange savings of approximately $2.5 billion over their contractual period. The agreements also strengthen the connection between renewable energy generation and domestic fertiliser manufacturing.

Green ammonia production offers India an opportunity to reduce its dependence on imported ammonia and conventional feedstocks while developing new industrial capabilities. Its adoption in fertiliser manufacturing can also support the gradual decarbonisation of an energy-intensive sector.

The domestic green ammonia programme and international export agreements represent complementary components of India’s emerging clean-fuel industry. Domestic procurement supports industrial adoption, while export contracts create opportunities for Indian producers to participate in global energy markets.

Competitive Bidding Reduces Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Prices

Competitive procurement under the National Green Hydrogen Mission has contributed to significant progress in green hydrogen and ammonia pricing.

During 2025–26, SECI’s green ammonia tenders achieved a lowest discovered price of ₹49.75 per kilogram for supply to an Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited facility in Odisha. The weighted average discovered price across the tenders stood at ₹53.27 per kilogram.

In the green hydrogen sector, a tender for supplying 10,000 tonnes annually to Numaligarh Refinery in Assam achieved a discovered price of ₹279 per kilogram. The project involves NeuEN Green Energy, a joint venture between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Sembcorp.

The Ministry has also awarded projects for supplying 30,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually to major petroleum refineries, including facilities associated with Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation and Numaligarh Refinery.

These developments demonstrate the growing role of competitive bidding in establishing commercial prices for renewable hydrogen and its derivatives.

Lower production costs are essential for expanding industrial adoption because green hydrogen must compete with conventional hydrogen manufactured primarily from natural gas and other fossil fuels.

India’s expanding renewable energy capacity, domestic electrolyser manufacturing and long-term procurement arrangements provide a foundation for further improvements in production efficiency and commercial competitiveness.

Green Hydrogen Hubs at Kandla, Paradip and Tuticorin

India is developing specialised infrastructure to support large-scale green hydrogen production, industrial consumption and exports.

The government has identified three major ports—Kandla in Gujarat, Paradip in Odisha and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu—as green hydrogen hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

These locations offer advantages for developing integrated facilities connecting renewable energy supplies, hydrogen production, ammonia manufacturing, storage infrastructure and maritime export operations.

Ports play an important role in international green ammonia trade because ammonia can be transported using specialised vessels and established industrial handling systems.

The development of port-based production hubs can help Indian companies establish links with international buyers while supporting domestic industries located near major maritime and industrial corridors.

Such infrastructure also creates opportunities for engineering companies, equipment manufacturers, logistics operators and renewable energy developers involved in the hydrogen value chain.

India Strengthens Green Hydrogen Certification and Standards

India has introduced regulatory and certification mechanisms to support the development of a reliable green hydrogen market.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India in April 2025 to establish a framework for verifying the environmental credentials of hydrogen produced within the country.

In June 2026, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Portal of India to facilitate certification processes and strengthen transparency in regulatory compliance.

Certification is important for domestic and international hydrogen markets because buyers increasingly require reliable information about the emissions associated with hydrogen production.

The government has also established national standards for green ammonia and green methanol. These standards, notified in February 2026, define the emissions thresholds and other conditions required for these products to qualify as green.

The green ammonia standard specifies a maximum greenhouse gas emissions intensity of 0.38 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of ammonia, covering defined stages of production and associated processes.

India has additionally published or adopted 122 standards through organisations including the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation to strengthen safety and regulatory oversight across the hydrogen industry.

These measures provide an important foundation for industrial development, product certification and international trade in green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Hydrogen Technology Development Supports Make in India

The expansion of India’s green hydrogen industry is creating opportunities for domestic manufacturing, technology development and industrial innovation.

Electrolysers are among the most important technologies required for producing green hydrogen. These systems use electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, making their efficiency and manufacturing costs important factors in the economics of hydrogen production.

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the government has awarded incentives for 3,000 MW of annual domestic electrolyser manufacturing capacity.

The development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities can strengthen India’s renewable energy equipment industry while encouraging innovation in electrochemical systems, power electronics, storage technologies and industrial process engineering.

The government is also supporting pilot projects in sectors where hydrogen could replace conventional fuels or industrial feedstocks.

During 2025–26, the Ministry sanctioned transport-sector pilot projects involving 37 vehicles and nine hydrogen refuelling stations, with financial support of approximately ₹208 crore. Additional pilot initiatives received ₹84 crore for applications in the steel sector.

These projects are intended to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of hydrogen technologies under Indian operating conditions.

The expansion of domestic manufacturing, testing infrastructure and industrial applications will support the development of a broader hydrogen technology ecosystem.

Kerala Included in Green Hydrogen Innovation Cluster Programme

Kerala is among the locations identified for Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy sanctioned four Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters during 2025–26, covering Odisha, Kerala, Pune and another designated cluster, with a combined financial allocation of ₹170 crore.

Hydrogen Valley initiatives aim to establish integrated ecosystems connecting hydrogen production, storage, distribution and end-use applications within defined geographical regions.

Such projects can bring together research institutions, technology developers, industrial enterprises and infrastructure providers to demonstrate hydrogen technologies and develop practical applications.

Kerala’s inclusion provides opportunities for participation in green hydrogen research, industrial development and clean energy innovation. The state’s technical institutions, industrial facilities and renewable energy initiatives offer a foundation for developing specialised expertise in emerging hydrogen technologies.

The programme also supports the wider objective of creating regionally distributed clean energy innovation networks across India.

Skill Development Builds Workforce for Hydrogen Industry

The growth of green hydrogen manufacturing and associated infrastructure is creating demand for specialised technical skills.

Hydrogen production facilities require trained personnel in electrical engineering, electrochemistry, industrial operations, process safety, equipment maintenance and renewable energy integration.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy reported that 3,955 personnel received training in green hydrogen technologies during 2025–26.

These initiatives form part of the broader skill development programmes supporting India’s renewable energy sector.

The government is also encouraging collaboration between educational institutions, research organisations and industry participants to strengthen technical capabilities.

Developing a skilled workforce will support the operation of hydrogen production plants, electrolyser manufacturing facilities, storage systems and associated industrial infrastructure.

Green Hydrogen Strengthens India’s Energy Security and Export Opportunities

India’s progress in securing clean hydrogen contracts and green ammonia export agreements reflects the growing commercial opportunities associated with its energy transition.

The country’s expanding renewable energy generation capacity provides an important foundation for producing hydrogen using domestic energy resources.

Replacing conventional hydrogen with green hydrogen in industrial applications can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, while domestic production of green ammonia can strengthen supply security for fertiliser manufacturers.

International export agreements offer additional opportunities for Indian companies to develop large-scale manufacturing facilities and establish long-term relationships with overseas buyers.

The development of these markets also encourages investment in renewable power generation, electrolysers, industrial equipment, storage systems and port infrastructure.

India’s clean hydrogen ambitions therefore extend beyond fuel production to include manufacturing, technology development, international trade and industrial competitiveness.

India Advances Towards Becoming a Global Green Hydrogen Hub

India’s third-place global ranking in cumulative contracted clean hydrogen volumes marks an important development in the country’s emerging hydrogen industry.

The binding contracts covering 300,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen annually, together with green ammonia export agreements exceeding one million tonnes, demonstrate the growing commercial foundations of India’s clean-fuel sector.

These developments complement the progress achieved under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, including domestic production allocations, electrolyser manufacturing incentives, competitive procurement and specialised infrastructure development.

The establishment of green hydrogen hubs, national certification systems and innovation clusters is further strengthening the institutional and industrial framework required for large-scale deployment.

With its 2030 production target of five million metric tonnes annually, India is pursuing an integrated strategy connecting renewable energy expansion with industrial manufacturing, domestic consumption and international exports.

The continued development of green hydrogen and ammonia technologies will strengthen India’s energy security, create opportunities for indigenous industries and expand the country’s participation in the global clean energy economy.

---

References

1. Akashvani News, Prasar Bharati – October 16, 2026: India Ranks Third Globally in Cumulative Contracted Clean Hydrogen Volumes, Says Union Minister Pralhad Joshi
2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – April 8, 2026: India Ranks Third Globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity: Shri Pralhad Joshi — Includes official progress figures for the National Green Hydrogen Mission, green ammonia tenders, electrolyser manufacturing, hydrogen hubs and pilot projects.
3. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – March 24, 2026: Government Drives Green Hydrogen Expansion and Strengthens Clean Energy Transition
4. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – March 30, 2026: Exchange of Green Ammonia Agreements Under National Green Hydrogen Mission
5. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – June 17, 2026: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Launches Green Hydrogen Certification Portal
6. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – March 7, 2026: Government Announces Standards for Green Ammonia and Green Methanol
7. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India: National Green Hydrogen Mission – Schemes and Guidelines

---