What is the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme in India?
Introduction
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, through the electrolysis of water. Unlike grey or blue hydrogen, green hydrogen leaves behind zero carbon emissions, making it a key pillar in global decarbonization strategies. Around the world, nations are rapidly scaling up green hydrogen initiatives to achieve net-zero targets and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
India, too, has set ambitious clean energy transition goals under the national green hydrogen mission and the national hydrogen energy mission. These programs aim to transform India into a global hub for green hydrogen production, use, and export. In alignment with these missions, India has introduced the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme, a critical step to ensure credibility, transparency, and traceability in the production and use of green hydrogen.
A certification scheme serves as both a regulatory framework and a credibility-building mechanism. It helps verify that hydrogen is truly “green” by confirming it is produced from renewable sources under strict environmental standards.
Section 1: What is the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme?
The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme is a policy initiative introduced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2023. It is designed to certify the renewable origin of hydrogen produced within India. This is a major step in fulfilling the goals outlined in the national hydrogen energy roadmap India and aligns closely with the India green hydrogen policy.
The scheme seeks to support clean hydrogen markets by ensuring that hydrogen labeled as “green” meets specific environmental and production criteria. Under this framework, producers of hydrogen must demonstrate that the energy used in electrolysis or other production processes comes from verified renewable sources.
Launched under the broader umbrella of the national green hydrogen mission, this certification scheme sets out to:
- Verify the green origin of hydrogen.
- Facilitate the trade and use of green hydrogen domestically and internationally.
- Enable consumers to make informed choices.
- Create market incentives for low-carbon hydrogen.
- Promote standardization in line with international best practices.
Section 2: Key Features of the Scheme
The certification framework incorporates stringent technical and environmental criteria to ensure credibility and alignment with global standards. It is a cornerstone policy of the India green hydrogen policy, contributing directly to goals under the national hydrogen energy mission.
Certification Criteria
To qualify as green hydrogen, producers must meet emission thresholds defined by the MNRE. The hydrogen must be produced from renewable electricity such as solar, wind, biomass, or small hydro. In particular, the following criteria are considered:
- Greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire production lifecycle.
- Use of only approved renewable energy sources.
- Production efficiency and electrolysis standards.
Accreditation and Verification
The certification process involves multiple institutional players:
- The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) is responsible for accrediting third-party verifiers.
- Independent verification agencies conduct audits and ensure that the producers comply with guidelines.
- Producers must submit data and undergo periodic assessments to retain their certification status.
Digital Certificates
One of the standout features of the scheme is its digital infrastructure. Certification will be issued electronically through a government portal, ensuring transparency and traceability. Each certificate will include data on the source of energy, production method, emissions levels, and expiration date. These digital certificates also align with the broader concept of renewable energy certificates in India, making the scheme integrable with existing renewable energy tracking systems.
Certificates are valid for a defined period (typically 1–3 years), after which re-certification is required.
Section 3: Importance of Certification
Certification helps build trust among investors, consumers, and regulators by validating the green credentials of hydrogen. This, in turn, can attract more private sector participation and boost funding for clean hydrogen projects. Moreover, transparent certification reduces greenwashing and sets industry benchmarks.
Enabling Exports
India aims to become a leading exporter of green hydrogen to markets such as Europe, Japan, and South Korea. Compliance with global certification norms—especially EU standards—requires verifiable proof of renewable origin. The certification scheme, therefore, is a critical enabler for aligning Indian products with international trade standards.
Encouraging Innovation
By standardizing the definition and assessment of green hydrogen, the certification scheme fosters technological innovation. Companies will be encouraged to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in order to qualify for certification, contributing to a more dynamic hydrogen economy.
Encouraging Innovation
By standardizing the definition and assessment of green hydrogen, the certification scheme fosters technological innovation. Companies will be encouraged to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in order to qualify for certification, contributing to a more dynamic hydrogen economy.
This approach supports the broader vision outlined in the national hydrogen energy roadmap India, ensuring that innovation and sustainability go hand-in-hand.
Section 4: Implementation and Challenges
The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme is currently in its rollout phase, with phased implementation planned from 2023 onwards. The framework will evolve based on industry feedback and international collaboration.
Institutional Framework
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- Ministry of Power
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
These agencies will work in sync with third-party auditors and industry bodies. The framework also builds on pre-existing infrastructure for renewable energy certificates in India, streamlining integration and compliance.
Challenges
Despite its benefits, the scheme faces several challenges:
- High production costs of green hydrogen compared to grey hydrogen.
- Monitoring and enforcement of certification rules, especially in remote or off-grid locations.
- Technological readiness: Ensuring all hydrogen producers have access to equipment and expertise necessary to meet certification criteria.
To overcome these, the India green hydrogen policy proposes incentives, subsidies, and technology-sharing mechanisms.
Section 5: Global Context
India is not alone in pursuing hydrogen certification. Other countries have introduced similar systems:
- European Union (EU): The EU has strict criteria under its Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), which mandates lifecycle GHG accounting.
- Japan: Japan uses a color-coded hydrogen classification system and offers subsidies for certified green hydrogen.
- Australia: The Australian government has launched the “Guarantee of Origin” certification framework to verify green hydrogen exports.
India’s certification framework, aligned with the national hydrogen energy roadmap India, compares favorably in its comprehensive and digital-first approach. Its emphasis on transparency, stakeholder coordination, and export-readiness positions it as a globally relevant initiative.
Furthermore, integration with renewable energy certificates in India offers a synergistic mechanism that few countries have fully leveraged yet.
Section 6: Future Prospects
As India progresses toward its net-zero goal by 2070, green hydrogen is expected to play a vital role. The certification scheme is central to this transformation, ensuring that the hydrogen used across sectors is verifiably clean.
Industrial and Export Growth
Certified green hydrogen will enable large-scale adoption in industries like steel, chemicals, and refineries—sectors that are hard to decarbonize. It will also strengthen India’s position in global hydrogen supply chains, making it a major player in the international energy market.
The national green hydrogen mission aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen per annum by 2030. This goal, coupled with the certification scheme, offers tremendous export potential.
Policy Alignment
The certification scheme is fully aligned with the India green hydrogen policy, national hydrogen energy mission, and national hydrogen energy roadmap India. These integrated policies ensure that every stage—from production to distribution to export—is covered under a well-defined regulatory framework.
Conclusion
India’s Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme is a landmark initiative that provides credibility, accountability, and traceability to the green hydrogen ecosystem. It directly supports the vision laid out in the national green hydrogen mission, India green hydrogen policy, and the national hydrogen energy roadmap India.
As India accelerates its transition to clean energy, certification will serve as the backbone for building reliable hydrogen markets. It ensures that both domestic use and global exports of green hydrogen meet rigorous environmental standards.
Stakeholders—including producers, industries, investors, and policymakers—must now work together to embrace this scheme. Through collective effort and continued innovation, India can lead the global charge in clean hydrogen, fulfilling its promise under the national hydrogen energy mission and beyond.
FAQs
1. What is the National Green Hydrogen Mission of India?
The National Green Hydrogen Mission is India’s strategic plan launched to promote the production, use, and export of green hydrogen using renewable energy sources. It aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen by 2030.
2. What is the purpose of the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme?
The Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme verifies that hydrogen is produced from renewable sources, helping build trust in clean hydrogen markets. It supports India’s commitments under the India green hydrogen policy and boosts the credibility of green hydrogen exports.
3. Who launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme and when?
The scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in 2023 as part of the broader national hydrogen energy mission to support clean energy transition and decarbonization.
4. How is hydrogen certified as "green" under this scheme?
Hydrogen is certified based on strict emission thresholds, exclusive use of renewable energy, and third-party verification. The certification process is integrated with renewable energy certificates in India for transparency and traceability.
5. What role does the National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap India play?
The national hydrogen energy roadmap India provides long-term strategic direction for hydrogen development, including production targets, infrastructure planning, and export pathways. Certification is a key component of this roadmap.
