Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters

Why in news?

At the 3rd International Conference on Green Hydrogen, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that four Hydrogen Valleys will be created across India. These clusters aim to demonstrate the entire green‑hydrogen value chain and accelerate the country’s transition to clean energy.

Background

Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVICs) are self‑contained ecosystems where hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, stored, transported and consumed locally. Originally conceptualised by the Department of Science and Technology, the clusters are now being implemented under the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Key points

• Locations: Four pilot valleys are planned in Pune (Maharashtra), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Bhubaneshwar (Odisha) and Kerala. Each site will showcase different aspects of hydrogen production and use.
• Investment: The project envisages a total outlay of ₹485 crore. Approximately ₹169.89 crore will come from the National Green Hydrogen Mission, while the rest will be contributed by industry and consortium partners.
• Objectives: HVICs will build local hydrogen economies by linking supply with demand across transport, industry and power sectors. They will also foster research, innovation and skill development, paving the way for scaling up hydrogen use.
• Policy context: The announcement is part of India’s wider clean‑energy push, which includes a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation scheme to promote deep‑tech and green technologies.

Importance

• Decarbonising hard‑to‑abate sectors: Hydrogen can replace fossil fuels in industries such as steel, cement, and heavy transport, significantly cutting carbon emissions.
• Building a domestic supply chain: By investing in hydrogen production and storage technologies at home, India reduces dependence on imported energy sources and stimulates new industries.
• Global leadership: The hydrogen valley model positions India as a leader in green hydrogen, with plans to replicate successful pilots across the country and export expertise abroad.

Source: Press Information Bureau