India and Germany forge green hydrogen ties

October 28, 2024, by Aida Čučuk

To promote the market ramp-up of green hydrogen and enhance cooperation in climate action and sustainable development, India and Germany have launched the “Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap.”

The countries released the roadmap during the seventh round of India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (7th IGC) on October 25, 2024, in New Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chaired the event.

As disclosed, the roadmap is expected to help support India’s ambition for the production, usage and export of green hydrogen while also contributing to its swifter adoption as a sustainable source of energy in both countries.

To note, during the 6th IGC, both governments announced the “Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP),” which serves as an umbrella for bilateral formats and joint initiatives in this field. Subsequently, both sides signed the migration and mobility partnership agreement (MMPA) in December 2022 and launched the “India-Germany Vision to Enhance Cooperation in Innovation and Technology” in February 2023.

Recalling the outcomes of the sixth IGC and various agreements concluded by the two sides thereafter, the countries launched the “India-Germany Innovation and Technology Partnership Roadmap” and introduced the “Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap.”

During the event, both governments also welcomed the milestones already achieved with respect to the existing initiatives and new commitments for financial and technical cooperation under the framework of the GSDP.

Specifically, under the “Indo-German Renewable Energy Partnership,” the countries’ cooperation focused on innovative solar energy, green hydrogen, other renewables, grid integration, storage and investments in the renewable energy sector.

To remind, in 2024, India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued scheme guidelines for setting up hydrogen hubs in the country under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which was launched on January 4, 2023, to make India a global hub for the production, usage and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Moreover, India’s government released a scheme that aims to support retrofitting existing vessels to run on green hydrogen. This scheme will also support the development of bunkering and refuelling facilities in ports for green hydrogen-based fuels.