Kerala’s Green Hydrogen Initiatives: Leading the Path to a Sustainable Future

Green Hydrogen's pivotal role in decarbonizing industries, Kerala's commitment to Net Zero emissions, and hydrogen mobility projects in India.

Green Hydrogen (GH2) is anticipated to play a crucial role as an energy carrier in the global energy system on a 1.5°C or 2°C pathway to 2050. Produced via renewable energy through water electrolysis, GH2 is essential for decarbonizing harder-to-abate industries like fertilizers, refineries, methanol production, maritime shipping, iron and steel, transportation, and chemicals, which cannot readily be electrified.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates hydrogen will contribute 6 per cent to cumulative emission reductions by 2050 under the Net Zero Emission 2021-2050 pathway. This includes hydrogen generated through low-carbon technologies such as electrolysis or fossil fuels with carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). By 2050, hydrogen is projected to account for 10 per cent of total final energy consumption, with electricity as the primary source for hydrogen production (~60 per cent) in the Net Zero Emission 2050 pathway.

Furthermore, Green Hydrogen is expected to stabilize the intermittent nature of renewable energy.

Kerala’s Commitment to Green Hydrogen

Kerala aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 and become a 100 per cent Renewable Energy State by 2040, with GH2 playing a pivotal role in this endeavour. Given its renewable energy resources, Kerala is well-positioned to meet local demand and potentially become an export hub for GH2.

The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), Kerala’s nodal agency for renewable energy, has been designated to oversee green hydrogen projects in the state.

Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC)