India’s drive to enhance green hydrogen production will entail investment of ₹4 lakh crore factoring in renewable energy capacity addition of 60 GW and investment in electrolyser manufacturing facilities.

Currently, about 98 per cent of hydrogen is produced with use of fossil fuels (grey or blue hydrogen). However, surge in fossil fuels prices has raised the levelised cost of hydrogen production by three-four times, bringing it on par with that of green hydrogen at $5 per kg. This, if sustained, may augur well towards a faster adoption of green hydrogen technology, said ICRA in a recent research report.

Rohit Ahuja, Head of Research, ICRA, said electrolysis is the most preferred technology for producing green hydrogen. However, considering the recent surge in metal prices due to geopolitical disruptions, the expected reduction in manufacturing costs for electrolysers may be back-ended close to 2030.

Shift in demand

The share of green hydrogen in total hydrogen production in India is expected to increase to 30-80 per cent (from nil) by 2030-50, along with four-five times increase in overall consumption to 30 mmt (from 6 mmt currently). A major shift in demand is expected towards transportation (hydrogen fuel cell vehicles) and power generation sectors, which will account for about 30 per cent of the hydrogen demand by 2050, he said.

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