National Green Hydrogen Mission: India Builds Hydrogen Hub to Produce 5 Million Tonnes of Green Fuel

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

India plans to produce and export 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen in the next 5–6 years.
Hydrogen Hub at Kandla Port will support maritime decarbonisation and trade growth.
Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited will expand into green and e-methanol production through a new MoU.

New Delhi: India is strengthening its clean energy ambitions with a major Hydrogen Hub project under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aimed at producing and exporting nearly 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen over the next five to six years.

The initiative is a key pillar of India’s roadmap toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

National Green Hydrogen Mission Drive India’s Future Energy Landscape

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s upcoming industrial and transport systems will be powered by sustainable green fuels.

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“India’s energy transition will be driven by green molecules such as green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia and bio-energy,” Sonowal stated, highlighting their role in transforming industries, shipping and infrastructure over the coming decades.

Hydrogen Hub at Kandla Port to Boost Trade and Shipping

Once operational, the proposed Hydrogen Hub is expected to attract more deep-sea vessels to Kandla Port and increase cargo movement across India’s hinterland.

Officials believe the facility will support:

Cleaner maritime transport
Enhanced port-based industrial development
Stronger export-oriented trade growth

Assam Petro-Chemicals to Play Key Role in Green Methanol Expansion

Sonowal also acknowledged the contribution of Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL), one of India’s leading methanol producers with decades of experience.

He said the collaboration will strengthen Assam’s role in India’s clean energy ecosystem and support the Methanol Economy initiative, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

APL to Move Up Value Chain Into Green and E-Methanol

APL operates one of India’s largest methanol plants at Namrup in Assam and has recently expanded its production capacity.

Through its partnership with the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, the company is expected to transition from conventional methanol to:

Green methanol
E-methanol production
Low-carbon industrial fuels

This move aligns with national goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World.

MoU Signed With Deendayal Port Authority for National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by:

Bikul Deka, Chairman, Assam Petro-Chemicals Lim
Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority

The ceremony was attended by senior Assam ministers, political leaders and officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Green Port Initiatives Supporting India’s Decarbonisation Goals

In line with the Prime Minister’s long-term vision, the Ministry has launched several initiatives including:

Harit Sagar – Green Port Guidelines
Renewable energy promotion at ports
Adoption of alternative marine fuels
Development of ports as clean energy hubs

India’s Push Toward Global Leadership in Green Shipping

The Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission represents a significant step toward positioning India as a global leader in maritime decarbonisation and clean fuel exports.

With hydrogen, methanol and ammonia emerging as fuels of the future, India’s ports are set to become central engines of the green economy.