India to develop Hydrogen Hub at Kandla under National Green Hydrogen Mission

India is stepping up its green energy transition with the development of a Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce and export around 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen over the next five to six years. The initiative is a key part of India’s long-term strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said India’s future energy landscape will be powered by green molecules. “Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s energy transition will be driven by green molecules such as green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia and bio-energy, which will power our industries, transport systems and maritime sector in the coming decades,” he said.

Once operational, the proposed facility is expected to attract more deep-sea vessels to Kandla Port, boost cargo movement and support trade growth across the hinterland and the country. Sonowal also acknowledged the role of Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited (APL), one of India’s major methanol producers with decades of operational experience.

Highlighting Assam’s growing role in the clean energy ecosystem, Sonowal said the collaboration reflects the North-Eastern region’s increasing integration into national value chains. “It will strengthen Assam’s role in India’s energy transition, support the Methanol Economy initiative and help reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels,” he said, adding that the project aligns with the government’s goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World, while positioning India as a global leader in maritime decarbonisation.

APL, which operates one of the country’s largest methanol plants at Namrup in Assam, has recently expanded its production capacity. The partnership with Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, is expected to enable the company to move up the value chain from conventional methanol to green and e-methanol production.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony was attended by Assam ministers Bimal Borah and Prasanta Phukan, Rajya Sabha MP and former Union Minister Rameswar Teli, and MLA Taranga Gogoi, among others. The MoU was signed by Bikul Deka, Chairman of Assam Petro-Chemicals Limited, and Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority, in the presence of Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

In line with the Prime Minister’s vision, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has launched several initiatives, including the Harit Sagar – Green Port Guidelines, promotion of renewable energy at ports, encouragement of alternative marine fuels and the development of ports as energy and industrial hubs.

Emphasising the role of shipping in India’s economy, Sonowal noted that nearly 90% of India’s trade by volume moves through ports, making the decarbonisation of ports and shipping critical to achieving national climate targets.