India and Germany agree green hydrogen roadmap

Germany and India have signed a green hydrogen roadmap on the research and development of hydrogen as an alternative energy source on the sidelines of Germany-India government consultations in New Delhi.

"The hydrogen roadmap does not mean that the governments will do everything, rather they have defined various work areas that are now being attended to," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

"But in the end, scientists, students and businesses must now get on board," he said, adding that over the longer term, hydrogen had to justify itself on the market.

"Germany and India share the common goals of reducing their reliance on fossil fuel imports, decarbonizing their economies, and establishing robust national green hydrogen economies," according to an official joint statement.

The German government is planning for hydrogen to generate between 95 and 130 terawatt-hours of power per year in Germany – equivalent to more than 3 million tons of hydrogen, under the assumption that between 50% and 70% of this will have to be imported.

India aims to increase hydrogen production capacity to an annual 5 million tons per year by the end of this decade.

The roadmap aims to connect private sector companies, promote cooperation in research and development, and coordinate on legislation. The construction of terminals in India for the export of green ammonia is also to be supported.

The roadmap can be seen as a declaration of intent and does not include specific financing commitments. The two countries have had an energy partnership since 2006.