PtX Hub in India

India’s economic and population growth of the recent years has  translated into a steep rise in the domestic energy demand – a trend that is set to continue. Today, that demand is mainly met by fossil fuel sources while renewable energy, such as solar and wind, remain at around 3% of the energy mix. In its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, India committed to the target of achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030.

As part of its efforts to decarbonise its economy, India has ambitions to grow into a global green hydrogen hub. The country has also emerged as one of the most attractive destinations for investments in renewables. On 13 January 2023, the Government of India released the National Green Hydrogen Mission, with the objective India the Global Hub for production, usage and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as ammonia and methanol.

The current consumption of hydrogen in India is primarily based on ‘grey’ hydrogen, produced from fossil fuels, and amounts to 6 million tonnes a year. The main demand comes from the chemical and refining industry. Substituting the present use of hydrogen with production from renewable sources will be an important step in India’s green transition.

To advance its energy transition goals through bilateral cooperation, since 2006 India has a standing platform for policy-level dialogue with Germany,the India-Germany Energy Forum (IGEF). Within this framework, both countries agreed in May 2022 to establish an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force to strengthen collaboration around the production, utilisation, storage and distribution of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

The PtX Hub’s work in India at a glance

1. Policy advice on sustainability, standards, and certification

• Supporting the establishment and facilitation of the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force, with focus on the Sub-working Group 2 on Transport, Storage and Consumption, and the Sub-working Group 4 on Quality Infrastructure, Safety and Legal Framework, respectively.  
  • First Subworking Group meeting on Quality Infrastructure and Legal Framework on December 8 2022 
  • Transport, Storage and Consumption Meeting of Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force on 19 January 2023 
  • Second Subworking Group meeting on Quality Infrastructure and Legal Framework Meeting of Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force on 6 March 2023 

• Organising workshops and conferences on the sustainability criteria currently discussed in the EU for green hydrogen imports, including certification and safety standards in the production, transport, and storage of green hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol.
  • Webinar on “Update on EU Sustainability Criteria Certification for Green Hydrogen Projects” on 11 April 2023
  • Webinar on “Experiences and Lessons Learned for Cluster Development around Ports – The Hamburg Hydrogen Hub” on 22 March 2023 

2. Analysis of India’s PtX potential

• Industry-specific assessment of potential for PtX uptake and defossilisation impact 
  • Webinar on “Decarbonising Shipping in India” on 18 April 2023 

3. Strengthening knowledge on PtX of key stakeholders

• Conducting the basic PtX.Training
• Conducting Train-of-trainers programme for Indian energy professionals
• Facilitating study and delegation visits to Germany 
  • Train of Trainers on Renewable PtX from 9-18 January 2023  

Further resources

Status Quo Mapping of Hydrogen Production and Consumption in India, Indo-German Energy Forum (June 2021): pdf (energyforum.in)

Copyright by the Indo German Energy Forum (IGEF)