India’s Green Energy Push: PM Modi to Lay Foundation Stone for NTPC Green Hydrogen Hub

As India embarks on a historic journey towards achieving a net-zero carbon economy, a groundbreaking event took place on January 8, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for NTPC Green Energy Limited’s (NGEL) Green Hydrogen Hub Project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

This ambitious project, the first of its kind under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, represents a significant leap in India?s renewable energy sector, with an estimated investment of ?1,85,000 crore.

The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub, sprawling across 1,600 acres, aims to produce 1,500 tonnes per day (TPD) of green hydrogen and 7,500 TPD of green derivatives, including green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel. The project is designed to meet both domestic demand and export requirements, positioning India as a major global player in the green hydrogen market.

India’s push towards renewable energy is driven by its commitment to sustainability and energy independence. The Pudimadaka project will incorporate an impressive 20 GW of renewable energy capacity, underscoring India?s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.

Additionally, the facility will house advanced infrastructure, including a manufacturing unit, a green chemical zone, a chemical storage terminal, port infrastructure, a transmission corridor with a 7 GW substation, an 80 MLD desalination plant, and an effluent treatment plant.

According to senior officials, the project is expected to generate over 57,000 jobs, contributing significantly to local and national economies. Moreover, it will serve as a catalyst for decarbonisation in key industrial sectors, such as chemicals, fertilisers, and transportation.

?This project is a major step towards decarbonisation and achieving India?s Net Zero goals. It will drive green energy adoption while contributing to the National Green Hydrogen Mission,? a senior official remarked.

As the nation prepares for the launch of this landmark project, it?s worth noting the remarkable progress India has made in renewable energy. In 2024 alone, the country added 27 GW of renewable energy capacity, bringing the total to 214 GW by November 2024 which is an impressive 14% year-on-year growth.

Key contributors to this achievement include 94.17 GW of solar capacity and 47.96 GW of wind energy. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi, several transformative initiatives have been launched.

Over 700,000 rooftop solar installations were completed in just 10 months under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, providing free electricity for up to 300 units per month to 1 crore households.

The National Green Hydrogen Mission is expected to attract investments of ?8 lakh crore by 2030, with projects targeting the production of 4.12 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen. Other innovative solar and wind projects include Lakshadweep?s first on-grid solar plant and India?s largest solar-battery storage plant, commissioned in Chhattisgarh.

India has also solidified its international leadership in renewable energy by hosting the 4th Global Renewable Energy Investment Meet (RE-INVEST) and establishing collaborations for green hydrogen with global partners. These initiatives reflect India’s proactive approach to meeting its climate commitments and setting a global benchmark for clean energy transitions.

To gain deeper insights into the role of green energy in shaping India?s future, two industry leaders?Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder & CEO of Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions, and Shobit Rai, MD & CEO of Prozeal Green Energy expressed their views.

When asked how India can revolutionize green energy and help the country become one of the top three global economies, Sulajja highlighted that India is on a fast track towards this goal. She emphasized that to achieve global leadership, sustainability must be at the core.

Climate change is a pressing issue, and India?s leadership in sustainable development is crucial. With clear policies focused on green transition, she said India is moving in the right direction.

In transportation, for example, India has made significant strides. Electric vehicles (EVs) are critical to reducing emissions, and at Kinetic Green, they are working to make EVs affordable and accessible to all.

The company is committed to the Make in India initiative and aims to export EVs to developing regions. On the other hand, Shobit Rai pointed out that fast-tracking the manufacturing of green energy components is essential. While progress has been made, reliance on imports for critical components remains a challenge.

Establishing a fully backward-integrated manufacturing ecosystem will not only reduce dependency on imports but also boost exports. He also stressed the importance of developing a skilled workforce. With a target of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, specialized manpower is needed to meet this challenge.

Government and private institutions are already working on training programs to create a pool of skilled professionals. Additionally, Shobit noted that India has the potential to become a service exporter in the renewable energy sector. The global demand for renewables is rising, especially in Europe, and by providing skilled manpower and services, India can position itself as a global leader.

Government support has been pivotal in accelerating the adoption of green technologies, according to Sulajja. Five years ago, EV penetration in India was negligible. Today, segments like three-wheelers have seen a penetration rate of nearly 10%, surpassing traditional internal combustion engine vehicles in sales.

Policies that promote EVs, such as lower GST rates and incentives for buyers, have made EVs more attractive. Looking ahead, the focus should be on scaling up and building a robust charging infrastructure to support widespread adoption.

India?s renewable energy journey is far from over. With an ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, the Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub is a significant step towards achieving that goal.

As global demand for clean energy surges, India is well-positioned to lead the way, not just in renewable energy production but also in innovation and export of green technologies. The foundation stone for the Pudimadaka hub marks a new chapter in India?s green energy narrative.

It underscores the country?s resolve to combat climate change, foster economic growth, and create a sustainable future for generations to come. With continued investments, strategic leadership, and innovative technologies, India?s green energy revolution is set to inspire the world.