Green hydrogen

Hydrogen is an energy carrier rather than a primary energy source: it must be produced from compounds such as water or hydrocarbons. Green hydrogen generally refers to hydrogen made using renewable energy. A common pathway is water electrolysis, in which an electrolyser uses electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. Electrolyser designs include alkaline, proton-exchange-membrane and solid-oxide systems, which differ in their electrolyte materials and operating conditions. Some jurisdictions define renewable or green hydrogen using specific rules for electricity sourcing and lifecycle greenhouse-gas emissions; therefore the label is not always used identically across policies.

Renewable hydrogen may be useful where direct electrification is difficult or where hydrogen is already used as an industrial feedstock. Potential applications include replacing fossil-based hydrogen in chemical production, producing hydrogen-derived fuels and feedstocks, and supplying some high-temperature industrial processes. It can also be stored and later used as an energy carrier, although conversion, storage and transport involve energy losses. The European Commission describes renewable hydrogen as a potential decarbonisation option for particular sectors and discusses its role in industrial processes, transport and energy-system storage.

The climate impact of hydrogen depends on how it is produced and on the energy used across its lifecycle. Electrolysis powered by renewable electricity can avoid the direct carbon dioxide emissions associated with producing hydrogen from fossil fuels, but manufacturing equipment, supplying electricity, water use, compression, transport and end use can affect total impacts. If electrolysers draw electricity from carbon-intensive generation, emissions can be substantial. Renewable hydrogen also needs additional clean electricity; using limited renewable power for hydrogen may compete with direct electrification, which is often more energy-efficient. Policy definitions therefore may set requirements for renewable electricity sourcing, timing, location and emissions savings.

Expanding green hydrogen production requires renewable generating capacity, electrolysers, water supply, and infrastructure for storage, distribution and use. Some existing industrial facilities may be able to use hydrogen as a feedstock, while new applications can require extensive equipment and safety arrangements. According to the International Energy Agency's 2026 review, global hydrogen production remained dominated by unabated fossil fuels; low-emissions hydrogen production reached almost one million tonnes in 2025, while installed electrolysis capacity surpassed 4 GW. The review notes that costs, uncertain demand, project delays and policy support affect the pace of deployment. These figures describe low-emissions hydrogen broadly and should not be read as green-hydrogen-only totals.

India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023, aims to develop a domestic green-hydrogen ecosystem and position the country as a producer and user. A November 2025 Government of India explainer states that the mission targets annual production of 5 million metric tonnes by 2030, with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore through fiscal year 2029–30. The government describes support for production, electrolyser manufacturing, research, pilot projects and enabling infrastructure. These are mission targets and programme plans, not guarantees that the specified output or investment will be achieved.