Hydrogen rail signals clean energy leap

Prime Minister Modi flagged off India’s first indigenous hydrogen powered train on the Jind–Sonipat section, marking a historic leap in clean mobility and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. With advanced propulsion, refuelling and storage infrastructure, this places India in a select group of nations embracing nextgen rail technology. More importantly, it shows India’s interest in green hydrogen as a strategic fuel in its clean energy transition and aspiring energy reliance while positioning the country for leadership in clean energy production and export.

In the face of global energy shocks and climate crises, green hydrogen has gained worldwide traction as a fuel to decarbonise industries particularly hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, fertilizer, heavy transport etc, assist in industrial processes and power cleaner transport. For India, furthering the green hydrogen agenda could not have come at a more opportune time. Unlike grey hydrogen, which is produced from fossil fuels, green hydrogen is generated solely from renewable energy sources through electrolysis, resulting in virtually zero CO2 emissions, enabling carbon-free fuel generation for industrial, transportation, power and energy storage applications.

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Under Prime Minister Modi, India has consistently prioritized the three interconnected pillars of energy security, economic growth and environmental sustainability as central to its development vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Addressing climate change demands a shift to carbon neutral economies, with the energy sector at the core of transition. As per its climate commitments, India intends to achieve 60 per cent cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources and reduced emissions intensity of its GDP by 47 percent by 2035.

Yet, as India’s GDP continues to march ahead, the demand for reliable and cost-effective energy will inevitably rise. With nearly 87 per cent of crude oil currently being imported, the recent global supply chain disruptions have laid bare its deep fissures, uncertainties and risks, making energy self reliance an absolute national necessity. Also, unlike many Western economies trapped in old, legacy infrastructure, India is uniquely positioned to transition to clean energy as much of its infrastructure remains to be built, and connectivity is one of the top priorities of the government.

By 2047, this transition could unlock millions of jobs and generate a trillion dollar market, aligning environmental goals with massive economic and livelihood opportunities. Accordingly, India is keen on scaling the adoption of clean technologies and enhancing resource efficiency to meet its future energy needs to balance growth and sustainability, while reinforcing green economy. In the quest for a green economy and carbon neutrality, hydrogen emerges as an important contender.

Hydrogen, as a fuel, is abundant, has direct industrial and transport applications and is effective to make fuel cell-based batteries. Tapping on this ‘fuel of the future’, India launched the National Hydrogen Mission in 2021, a comprehensive framework aiming to produce green hydrogen and positioning India as a global leader in green hydrogen production and utilization. By 2030, the Mission is projected to generate over 600,000 jobs, cut fossil fuel imports by more than Rs 1 lakh crore and prevent nearly 50 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Under its ambit, the first phase of the green hydrogen policy was released in February 2022 with a target of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030. Along with this, government is providing financial incentives and subsidies for encouraging investment in hydrogen projects. The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI) launched in 2025 provides a national framework to certify hydrogen as “green.” The government has designated key coastal gateways including the Deendayal Port, Paradip Port and VO Chidambaranar (VOC) Port located in Gujarat, Odisha and Tamil Nadu, respectively, as green hydrogen hubs.

Partnerships with foreign players including the EU, the UK, Singapore and Germany on Green Hydrogen aim to situate India as a key player in the global green hydrogen ecosystem while unlocking investment opportunities locally. Being a rather nascent fuel, hydrogen still grapples with high production costs, limited infrastructure, safety and transport concerns and questions of adoption at scale and long term viability.

Yet, early this year, India’s record lowest ever green hydrogen bid at Rs 279 ($3.08) per kg for supply of 10,000 tonnes to Numaligarh Refinery in Assam was a kind of turning point in cost competitiveness, industrial uptake, and market integration. Further, backed by heavy mission outlay, persistent government interest and support in expanding the hydrogen ecosystem, falling costs of renewables, global market indications and increased foreign collaborations would in time make it more economically viable and boost investors’ confidence too. A Viksit Bharat built on clean energy, resource-efficient value chains, resilient infrastructure and inclusive growth can define a new development pathway and establish a global standard for green growth.

(The writers are, respectively, National Spokesperson, BJP, and a development and sustainability professional.)