UP attracts Rs 1.15 lakh crore investment for green hydrogen projects

New Delhi: The state of Uttar Pradesh has received investment proposals totaling Rs 1.15 lakh crore from 17 companies to produce green hydrogen and green ammonia, with the potential to create 20,000 jobs. These initiatives align with the state’s target of generating 1 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen/green ammonia annually by 2029, as part of its broader efforts to become a leader in clean energy and industrial decarbonisation.

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Key players contributing to this green energy drive include UK-based Trafalgar Square Capital, which plans to establish a 10,000-tonne-per-year green hydrogen production facility near Lucknow. Additionally, Indian conglomerate Welspun Group is set to invest Rs 40,000 crore in a green hydrogen and ammonia plant in Bulandshahr, while Hygenco Green Energies Pvt Ltd plans a Rs 16,000 crore investment in a 0.2 million-tonne green hydrogen facility in Prayagraj. These projects are poised to significantly boost the state's clean energy transition and economic growth.

The Uttar Pradesh government aims to aggressively promote green hydrogen, particularly in the chemicals, fertilizers, and refineries sectors, as part of its ‘Uttar Pradesh Green Hydrogen Policy 2024.’ The policy offers a range of administrative and financial incentives to stimulate production, create market demand, and attract further investment.

The Director of the Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) Anupam Shukla highlighted the state’s focus on green hydrogen use in nitrogenous fertilizers and refineries, in line with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. "Our goal is to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production by fostering innovation in production and consumption technologies," Shukla said, emphasizing that green hydrogen offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels amid global climate challenges.

Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy, is seen as a key component in India’s push towards achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2070. It has broad potential applications, including in fertilizers, chemicals, refineries, heavy-duty vehicles, energy storage, and the steel industry.

India’s vast renewable energy resources, particularly solar and wind, position the country as a potential global leader in low-cost green hydrogen production, according to the International Energy Agency. Uttar Pradesh, with its ambitious economic growth target of reaching a $1 trillion economy, aims to leverage these opportunities to drive industrial decarbonization and support national climate goals.

The state government has implemented several initiatives to support green hydrogen investments, including regulatory reforms, a single-window clearance system for new and existing projects, and efforts to provide essential infrastructure such as land, water, and power transmission systems. These steps are expected to position Uttar Pradesh as a key player in India’s green hydrogen revolution and contribute to the country’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

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