The Government of Kerala has taken a major step forward in its clean energy transition with the formulation of a comprehensive green hydrogen policy and the launch of a hydrogen valley project. The initiative is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which aims to position India as a global hub for hydrogen innovation and accelerate the decarbonisation of industries and transport.

Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty confirmed that the state’s draft policy, prepared by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), has been submitted for official approval. The policy outlines measures to foster investment, create infrastructure, and enable industry-academia collaborations to drive green hydrogen adoption across Kerala.

A highlight of the state’s strategy is the hydrogen valley innovation cluster project, sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. With a budget allocation of ₹133.18 crore, the project positions Kerala among just four states selected nationwide for this prestigious initiative. The hydrogen valley model seeks to create integrated hubs where green hydrogen is produced, stored, transported, and used within a defined region, thereby building a complete ecosystem around the fuel.

According to the minister, this development underlines Kerala’s determination to cut carbon emissions and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. “Green hydrogen is still at a high-cost stage globally, but with projects like these, we are investing in long-term sustainability while opening up new opportunities for the state,” Krishnankutty stated in the Assembly.

The proposed policy emphasises several key areas: incentivising research and development, promoting pilot projects in transport and industry, ensuring coordination with central schemes, and encouraging private sector participation. By doing so, Kerala hopes to overcome one of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption of hydrogen—the current high cost of production.

Experts highlight that green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy sources like solar and wind, can play a transformative role in reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels, especially in sectors that are hard to decarbonise. For Kerala, which has a strong renewable energy base, integrating hydrogen into its clean energy roadmap provides both environmental and economic benefits.

In addition to industrial decarbonisation, the hydrogen valley is expected to support hydrogen-powered transport, including buses and commercial vehicles, contributing to cleaner cities and improved air quality. The state also expects the project to create significant employment opportunities in research, manufacturing, and clean technology deployment.

Source:

https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3630904-keralas-green-hydrogen-initiative-a-step-towards-carbon-neutrality?amp