In the rapidly evolving landscape of sustainable energy, green hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution to India's clean energy transition. As the country aims to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen its energy independence, numerous companies are making significant investments in green hydrogen technology. This article explores the best green hydrogen stocks in India, offering valuable insights for investors looking to capitalise on this growing sector.
Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources, represents a key component of India's strategy to achieve net-zero emissions. Unlike grey or blue hydrogen, which are derived from fossil fuels, green hydrogen generates zero carbon emissions during production.
India's green hydrogen journey gained momentum in 2021 when the government announced the National Hydrogen Mission, setting an ambitious target of producing 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. This strategic initiative aims to transform India into a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.
The Indian green hydrogen market in India is likely to reach ~$30n-35 bn/yr by 2035 - 2040. This remarkable growth trajectory is fuelled by:
Declining costs of renewable energy, particularly solar power
Increasing government support through policies and incentives
Growing emphasis on decarbonisation across industrial sectors
Rising investments from both public and private entities
Recent developments include the approval of the ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission by the Union Cabinet in January 2023, which aims to make India a global hub for the production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The mission further got a significant budgetary outlay of Rs. 600 crore (US$ 71.93 million) during the Union Budget of 2024-25.
The green hydrogen sector in India features several prominent players, ranging from energy conglomerates to renewable energy specialists. Here's a comprehensive table of the top green hydrogen stocks in India by market capitalisation:
Company Name |
Stock Code |
Market Capitalisation (₹ Crores)* |
Key Focus Areas |
---|---|---|---|
Reliance Industries |
RELIANCE |
16,30,250 |
Integrated green hydrogen production, electrolyser manufacturing, fuel cell development |
NTPC Limited |
NTPC |
3,39,820 |
Renewable energy-powered hydrogen production, pilot projects, R&D initiatives |
Power Grid Corporation |
POWERGRID |
2,73,252 |
Hydrogen transportation infrastructure, grid integration solutions |
Indian Oil Corporation |
IOC |
1,83,788 |
Green hydrogen production facilities, hydrogen mobility solutions, blending with natural gas |
Adani Green Energy |
ADANIGREEN |
1,46,373 |
Large-scale green hydrogen production, renewable energy integration |
Note: Market capitalisations are approximate and based on April 2025 data. Market capitalisation equals the number of free float shares* current market price of the stock
Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has positioned itself as a frontrunner in India's green hydrogen ecosystem. The company announced plans to invest ₹75,000 crores in green energy initiatives, with a significant portion allocated to green hydrogen development.
Future Plans: Reliance aims to become a net carbon-zero company by 2035 and is developing the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This facility will house an integrated solar photovoltaic module factory, an advanced energy storage battery factory, and an electrolyser factory for green hydrogen production.
Key Growth Drivers:
Development of low-cost electrolysers
Integration with existing petrochemical infrastructure
Strategic partnerships with global technology providers
Potential applications across its diversified business segments
Reliance recently commissioned one of India's largest green hydrogen plants in Jamnagar with a capacity of 5.8 tonnes per day, demonstrating its commitment to scaling up green hydrogen production rapidly.
As India's largest power generation company, NTPC has made significant strides in the green hydrogen space, leveraging its extensive experience in energy production.
Future Plans: NTPC plans to establish the country’s largest green hydrogen plant with a capacity of 1200 tonnes of green hydrogen per day. The company is developing green hydrogen projects at its renewable energy sites and aims to produce green hydrogen at less than $2 per kilogram by 2025-26.
Key Growth Drivers:
Vast renewable energy portfolio providing low-cost electricity for electrolysis
Multiple pilot projects across different locations
Strong government backing as a public sector enterprise
Cross-sectoral applications, including green ammonia production
NTPC's pilot projects in Ladakh and Vishakhapatnam demonstrate its technological capabilities and commitment to advancing green hydrogen solutions across diverse geographical conditions.
Power Grid Corporation, India's largest electric power transmission utility, is strategically positioned to play a crucial role in green hydrogen infrastructure development.
Future Plans: The company is investing in hydrogen transportation networks and plans to develop specialised grid infrastructure for green hydrogen production facilities. Power Grid is also exploring the integration of hydrogen energy storage systems with its existing transmission networks.
Key Growth Drivers:
Expertise in energy transmission and distribution
Development of hydrogen pipeline networks
Smart grid solutions for renewable energy integration
Potential for hydrogen-based energy storage systems
Power Grid's experience in managing complex energy transmission systems provides it with a unique advantage in addressing the logistical challenges associated with green hydrogen distribution.
Indian Oil Corporation, India's largest oil refining and marketing company, has been actively exploring green hydrogen opportunities to diversify its energy portfolio.
Future Plans: IOC aims to establish green hydrogen production capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum by 2040. The company is setting up green hydrogen plants at its Mathura and Panipat refineries and plans to use green hydrogen for refining processes.
Key Growth Drivers:
Existing network of refining and distribution infrastructure
Research and development of hydrogen fuel cell technology
Pilot projects for hydrogen-powered mobility solutions
Blending hydrogen with compressed natural gas (H-CNG)
IOC's pilot project in Delhi, which involves fuelling buses with hydrogen-spiked compressed natural gas, demonstrates its practical approach to implementing hydrogen solutions in the transportation sector.
Adani Green Energy, one of India's largest renewable energy companies, is leveraging its substantial solar and wind power portfolio to venture into green hydrogen production.
Future Plans: The Adani Group has announced a massive $70 billion investment in green energy initiatives over the next decade, with green hydrogen as a key focus area. The company aims to produce the world's least expensive green hydrogen and is planning to establish a 2.5 million tonnes per annum green hydrogen production capacity by 2030.
Key Growth Drivers:
Extensive renewable energy portfolio providing low-cost electricity
Strategic partnerships with global technology providers
Integrated approach covering production, storage, and distribution
Export potential targeting markets in East Asia and Europe
Adani's recent collaboration with TotalEnergies for green hydrogen production showcases its ability to attract global investments and expertise to accelerate its green hydrogen initiatives.
Investing in green hydrogen stocks offers several compelling advantages:
The green hydrogen sector in India is still in its nascent stage, providing early investors with the opportunity to benefit from first-mover advantages. Companies establishing themselves as pioneers in this space are likely to secure significant market share and industry recognition.
The Indian government has demonstrated a strong commitment to the green hydrogen sector through various initiatives:
Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for electrolyser manufacturing
Viability Gap Funding for green hydrogen production
Waiver of interstate transmission charges for green hydrogen projects
Mandates for green hydrogen consumption in specific industries
These supportive policies create a favourable environment for companies operating in this space, potentially enhancing their profitability and growth prospects.
Green hydrogen companies often operate across various segments of the value chain, including:
Electrolyser manufacturing and technology development
Hydrogen production and storage solutions
Fuel cell development and applications
Integration with existing industrial processes
This diversification provides multiple revenue streams and reduces dependence on any single market segment.
India's strategic location and cost advantages position it favourably to become a global green hydrogen export hub, particularly to markets in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Companies building export capabilities could benefit from the growing international demand for green hydrogen.
The green hydrogen sector is projected to witness substantial growth over the coming decades as industries worldwide transition to cleaner energy sources. This long-term growth trajectory offers sustained investment opportunities beyond short-term market fluctuations.
While the potential of green hydrogen stocks is significant, prudent investors should consider several factors before making investment decisions:
Assess the technological maturity of a company's green hydrogen solutions and its ability to scale operations cost-effectively. Companies with proven technologies or clear pathways to commercialisation may present lower investment risks.
The current cost of green hydrogen production in India ranges from ₹320-400 per kg, significantly higher than grey hydrogen (₹160-200 per kg). Evaluate a company's strategy to reduce production costs through technological innovations, economies of scale, or process optimisations.
Consider this cost reduction pathway projected by industry analysts:
Current cost: ₹320-400 per kg
2025 target: ₹250-300 per kg
2030 target: ₹150-200 per kg
Companies positioned to achieve or exceed these cost reduction targets may offer better long-term value.
For conglomerates like Reliance and IOC, evaluate how green hydrogen initiatives integrate with their existing businesses. Companies that can leverage synergies with their current operations might have stronger competitive advantages.
Green hydrogen projects require substantial capital investments with potentially long gestation periods. Assess a company's financial health, balance sheet strength, and capital allocation strategy to ensure it can sustain investments through the development phase.
Key financial metrics to consider:
Debt-to-equity ratio
Free cash flow generation
Return on capital employed
Capital expenditure plans
While government support is currently strong, regulatory changes or policy shifts could impact the sector's growth trajectory. Consider a company's dependence on subsidies or regulatory support and its ability to remain viable if these conditions change.
The future of green hydrogen stocks in India appears promising, driven by several key trends:
The cost of producing green hydrogen is expected to decrease significantly over the next decade due to:
Falling renewable energy costs (solar prices have declined by over 80% in the last decade)
Improvements in electrolyser efficiency and manufacturing scale
Technological innovations in storage and transportation
Analysts project that green hydrogen could achieve cost parity with grey hydrogen by 2030, potentially triggering widespread adoption across industries.
Green hydrogen applications are expanding beyond traditional uses to include:
Steelmaking (replacing coking coal)
Chemical production (green ammonia and methanol)
Heavy transport (long-haul trucking, shipping, aviation)
Energy storage for grid balancing
This diversification of applications creates multiple growth avenues for companies in the sector.
India is actively engaging in international hydrogen partnerships, such as:
The Green Hydrogen Alliance with the EU
Bilateral hydrogen cooperation with Japan and Australia
Participation in global hydrogen councils and initiatives
These collaborations provide Indian companies with access to global markets, technology transfer opportunities, and additional funding sources.
Innovative business models are emerging in the green hydrogen ecosystem:
Hydrogen-as-a-Service (HaaS)
Integrated renewable energy and hydrogen hubs
Joint ventures combining technological expertise with manufacturing capabilities
Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for project implementation
Companies pioneering these models may create significant shareholder value by capturing larger portions of the value chain.
India's green hydrogen sector presents significant growth potential as industry leaders position themselves in this emerging market. Despite challenges in cost parity and technology scaling, strong government backing and expanding applications create a promising investment landscape. When considering green hydrogen stocks, prioritise companies with solid financials, clear technology strategies, and effective business integration. With careful research and patience, these investments could deliver both financial returns and contribute to India's sustainable energy future.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Market capitalisation figures are approximate and subject to change. Investors should conduct their research or consult financial advisors before making investment decisions.
Green hydrogen stocks generally align better with long-term investment horizons due to the sector's early developmental stage. Consider these as part of a diversified portfolio, favouring established companies with strong fundamentals that are expanding into green hydrogen rather than pure-play hydrogen firms that might face greater volatility.
Key government initiatives include the National Green Hydrogen Mission (₹19,744 crores outlay), SIGHT Programme offering production incentives and gap funding, Green Hydrogen Standards defining certification criteria, and consumption mandates for industries like refining and fertiliser production. These create a supportive ecosystem for green hydrogen investments.
Primary demand drivers include refining and petrochemicals (using hydrogen for desulphurisation), fertiliser production (for ammonia synthesis), steel manufacturing (replacing coking coal), transportation (fuel cell vehicles), and power generation (energy storage solutions). This diverse application base helps stabilise market growth across multiple sectors.
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