India-Germany Green Hydrogen Task Force (2024): Outcomes Of Indo-German Consultations On Clean Energy – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Pragya Raghav

Background

India and Germany have cooperated on energy for decades through platforms such as the Indo-German Energy Forum and the Indo-German Renewable Energy Partnership. This cooperation gained greater political importance in 2022 with the launch of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership, supported by Germany’s commitment of €10 billion in additional development assistance until 2030 (PMO, 2022; MEA/PIB, 2024).

Green hydrogen has since become an important area of cooperation. India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore and a target of at least 5 million tonnes of annual production by 2030, supported by around 125 GW of renewable capacity (PMO, 2023). Germany, meanwhile, expects to rely partly on imports and estimates a potential need for 1.5 to 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). This creates a strategic link between India’s production ambitions and Germany’s future import demand.

The partnership focuses particularly on hard to decarbonise sectors such as steel, fertilisers, refining, shipping and heavy transport, where direct electrification may be insufficient. The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force, established in May 2022, covers production, trade, regulation, standards, infrastructure and research, with green ammonia and methanol also identified as potential areas of trade (MNRE/PIB, 2022). Its work culminated in the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, released in October 2024, which further structured bilateral cooperation (IGEF, 2024; MEA/PIB, 2024).

The partnership is based on complementary strengths: India offers renewable energy potential and production capacity, while Germany brings prospective demand, technology, finance and access to European standards and markets. The Task Force has therefore moved cooperation beyond broad energy dialogue towards building the conditions for a hydrogen trade relationship. The key challenge now is converting this policy framework into commercially viable projects, reliable supply chains and actual trade.

Functioning

The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force is a government-to-government coordination mechanism under the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF). It was established through a Joint Declaration of Intent between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) on 2 May 2022 (MNRE/PIB, 2022). Its work also forms part of the wider Green and Sustainable Development Partnership established at the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultations in 2022 (PMO, 2022).

The Task Force is co-chaired by senior officials from MNRE and BMWK, while the IGEF Support Office acts as its secretariat. Its work is organised through four sub-groups covering production and plant engineering, transport and storage, finance and trading, and quality, safety and legal standards (IGEF, n.d.). This structure allows the two governments to address different parts of the hydrogen value chain rather than treating hydrogen only as an energy production issue.

The Task Force works through regular meetings, technical discussions, workshops and business consultations. Its first meeting was held in September 2022, followed by further Task Force and sub-group meetings. The wider process has also included business roundtables, government-industry delegations and workshops. The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap records more than 30 workshops, over 12 business roundtables and seven delegations to Europe (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

Its main areas of work are trade, certification, infrastructure, finance, safety and technology. Particular attention has been given to hydrogen hubs, green ammonia, carbon markets, sustainable aviation and maritime fuels, and standards needed for cross-border trade (IGEF, n.d.; Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). The two sides have also explored technology cooperation, including offshore-wind-based hydrogen, agrivoltaic hydrogen and hydrogen testing facilities.

Finance is another important part of the framework. German instruments such as KfW’s PtX Development Fund and the H2Uppp programme can support project development, while H2Global provides a mechanism for developing international hydrogen markets (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). Indian and German institutions including Invest India, KfW, the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce and Germany Trade and Invest also contribute to the wider ecosystem.

The Task Force’s role is therefore mainly to remove barriers before commercial projects are developed. Sub-groups identify problems such as certification gaps, limited infrastructure information or financing constraints. The governments then use studies, databases, standards discussions and business platforms to address these gaps. Companies remain responsible for investment and commercial agreements. The Roadmap itself is non-binding, so its implementation ultimately depends on governments creating the right conditions and private actors converting them into projects and trade (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

Since December 2024, the cooperation has continued through IGEF Subgroup V on Green Hydrogen, which has focused on implementing the Roadmap and planning subsequent activities (IGEF, 2024).

The Task Force can therefore be understood less as an institution that delivers hydrogen projects and more as a bridge between government policy and commercial activity. Its main contribution is to build the standards, information, financing channels and business connections required for India and Germany to develop an actual green hydrogen market.

Performance

The performance of the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force is mixed. It has made clear progress in building the institutional and technical framework for cooperation, but there is still limited evidence of completed bilateral trade or large scale project delivery. This distinction matters because several developments in India’s hydrogen sector are outcomes of the National Green Hydrogen Mission rather than direct outputs of the Task Force.

The main institutional outcome was the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, exchanged at the 7th IGC on 25 October 2024. The Roadmap brought together areas such as hydrogen trade, certification, infrastructure, finance, technology and industrial applications. The Task Force’s mandate was also extended in July 2024, and its work was subsequently continued through IGEF Subgroup V on Green Hydrogen, which held its first meeting in December 2024 (MEA/PIB, 2024; MNRE, 2024; IGEF, 2024). However, the Roadmap is non-binding and does not set bilateral trade volumes or deadlines. Its performance is therefore better measured through the cooperation mechanisms it created than through fixed targets (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

Several practical outputs followed. These included green hydrogen hub roadmaps for Kochi and Ramagundam, studies on green ammonia and export supply chains, the h2hubs.in infrastructure map and an offshore wind hydrogen study (NGHM Portal, MNRE; Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). Workshops, business roundtables and government-industry delegations also expanded contact between the two countries. These activities have improved the information and coordination needed for future projects, although they do not by themselves demonstrate commercial delivery.

Progress on finance and technology has been less concrete. Germany’s KfW PtX Development Fund provides €270 million for eligible projects, but no Indian project award from the fund has been publicly established in the sources reviewed. Similarly, proposed measures such as an offtake guarantee mechanism, greater access to H2Global and cooperation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement remained at the discussion or development stage (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024; IGEF, n.d.).

The agreement was signed by AM Green and Uniper, not by the Task Force. While the Task Force helped create the broader policy, regulatory and market framework for Indo-German hydrogen cooperation, there is no clear evidence that it directly facilitated or caused this agreement. It should therefore be treated as a related private-sector outcome, not a direct Task Force achievement.

India’s wider hydrogen programme has also moved forward. By August 2026, the government reported awards for 3,000 MW of annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity and 756,100 tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity, along with green ammonia purchase agreements with fertiliser units (Government of India, 2026). These figures show growing domestic capacity, but they should not be attributed to the bilateral Task Force. There is also no evidence in the material review of physical green hydrogen or green ammonia exports from India to Germany having begun.

Overall, the Task Force has been more successful as a market-building and coordination mechanism than as a delivery mechanism. It has produced a roadmap, studies, networks and supporting tools, and helped create conditions for private investment. The harder test is whether these arrangements lead to operating projects, financing commitments and regular India Germany hydrogen trade. On the evidence currently available, that transition is still underway.

Impact

The impact of the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force is visible mainly in the systems it has helped build rather than in the volume of hydrogen produced or traded. Its main contribution has been to connect standards, infrastructure planning, finance and business networks between the two countries. Commercial impact is beginning to emerge, but remains limited.

Impact on India

The Task Force has supported India’s emerging hydrogen ecosystem through standards work, cost studies and planning for hydrogen hubs. However, the growth in domestic production capacity is primarily driven by the National Green Hydrogen Mission. By August 2026, the government had awarded 3,000 MW of annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity and 756,100 tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity. It had also secured green ammonia purchase agreements covering 670,000 tonnes annually with fertiliser units (Government of India, 2026). These developments should therefore not be attributed directly to the Task Force.

Its more specific contribution has been to address barriers that could affect future projects. The Roadmap includes work on certification, green ammonia costs, infrastructure and hub development. It also identifies opportunities for cooperation between Indian and German companies in electrolyser manufacturing and research (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). Evidence of actual technology transfer or major German technology contracts resulting from these arrangements, however, remains limited.

The Task Force has also reinforced the idea that hydrogen should complement rather than replace direct electrification. A joint study estimated that around 90% of India’s economy could be directly electrified with existing technologies, leaving hydrogen mainly for sectors where electrification is difficult (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). This has shaped the focus on steel, fertilisers, refineries, shipping and other hard to abate sectors.

Exports are the area where the bilateral framework could have its greatest practical value. Indian producers need to meet European sustainability and certification requirements if they are to access the EU market. Cooperation on these standards can therefore reduce one of the barriers to exports (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). The January 2026 agreement between AM Green and Uniper, covering up to 500,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually, provides the clearest example of this export model, although the available evidence does not establish that the Task Force directly caused the agreement (MEA, 2026; AM Green, 2026).

Impact on Germany

For Germany, the partnership provides another potential source of imported clean hydrogen and its derivatives. Germany expects to import between 1.5 and 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). The AM Green and Uniper agreement is significant in this context, but its full volume would still represent only a small share of Germany’s projected import requirement. Moreover, the agreement concerns supply to Europe rather than Germany alone (AM Green, 2026).

The partnership also gives German companies greater access to India’s expanding hydrogen market. The Roadmap identifies opportunities through India’s SIGHT programme, research cooperation, trade events and German financing instruments such as KfW’s PtX Development Fund (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). The relationship therefore works in both directions: India seeks technology, finance and access to European markets, while German firms gain access to Indian production and investment opportunities.

Impact on the bilateral relationship

Hydrogen has become a more established part of India Germany economic and climate cooperation. It appears in the bilateral documents of 2022, 2024 and 2026, while the Task Force has continued as IGEF Subgroup V. The January 2026 leaders’ statement also recognised the need for deeper technological, commercial and regulatory cooperation, suggesting that alignment between the two systems is still developing (MEA, 2026).

The cooperation also has a wider European dimension. The EU India Summit in January 2026 established an EU India Green Hydrogen Task Force under the Clean Energy and Climate Partnership (PMO, 2026). India’s experience with Germany can therefore provide a practical basis for engagement with the wider European hydrogen market, particularly on certification and renewable fuel standards.

Overall, the Task Force has had its strongest impact on market preparation rather than market scale. It has helped develop standards, studies, business links and financing pathways, while the first major private offtake agreement shows that commercial activity is beginning. But there is still a gap between this institutional groundwork and regular physical trade. Until large scale shipments begin and projects reach operation, the evidence supports viewing the Task Force as a mechanism building the foundations of an India Germany hydrogen market rather than an established supply partnership.

Emerging Issues and Challenges

Political support for Indo German hydrogen cooperation is well established. The harder question is whether the market can support projects at scale. The main constraints are demand, price, regulation, infrastructure and finance. Of these, demand is the most important because investment in production and infrastructure depends on buyers being willing to pay for green hydrogen and its derivatives.

1. Demand and price

Germany expects to import 1.5 to 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, but this remains a projected requirement rather than a firm purchase commitment (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). A 2025 Federal Court of Audit assessment questioned whether Germany would meet its production and import targets and highlighted weak market demand, particularly from industry. It also estimated that closing the price gap for imports could require substantial public support (Federal Court of Audit, 2025).

Cost remains a major barrier for India as well. Green ammonia produced under India’s SIGHT scheme has approached the price of conventional ammonia, but this has been supported by long term contracts and government incentives. Export markets face additional costs because Indian producers must meet European sustainability requirements (SECI, 2024; S&P Global, 2025). The challenge is therefore not simply producing hydrogen cheaply, but producing it at a price that European buyers will accept without continued heavy subsidies.

2. Renewable power and certification

Green hydrogen requires large amounts of renewable electricity. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million tonnes of annual production by 2030 and around 125 GW of associated renewable capacity (PMO, 2023). At the same time, the Indo German Roadmap stresses that direct electrification should remain the first option wherever technically possible (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

Export projects face an additional challenge from EU renewable fuel rules. Producers must demonstrate that the electricity used for hydrogen meets specific requirements on renewable sourcing and temporal correlation. These rules can increase the need for storage and dedicated renewable capacity, raising production costs (European Commission, 2023).

Certification is therefore not a minor administrative issue. It directly affects whether Indian hydrogen can enter the European market. India has developed its own certification framework, but differences between Indian and EU requirements remain. The Task Force can help coordinate these systems, but it cannot change EU legislation (MNRE, 2025; Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

3. Technology and infrastructure

India has awarded 3,000 MW of annual electrolyser manufacturing capacity under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, but awarded capacity does not necessarily mean operational capacity (Government of India, 2026). The Roadmap supports greater cooperation in manufacturing, research and technology, but it does not establish specific technology transfer or intellectual property arrangements (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

Infrastructure presents another gap. Most early German imports are expected to arrive as ammonia by sea, making production scale, storage and port facilities important for exports. The Roadmap identifies the need for export infrastructure and suggests that large projects require significant production volumes to be commercially viable. There is still limited evidence of dedicated India Germany hydrogen export infrastructure being operational (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

4. Finance and project delivery

Large hydrogen projects require substantial upfront investment while future revenues remain uncertain. Germany’s KfW PtX Development Fund offers financial support, while India’s Mission provides production incentives. However, the Roadmap expects the private sector to provide most of the investment (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

This creates a difficult sequence. Buyers want competitive prices, investors want reliable demand and producers need financing before they can build at scale. The Task Force can improve coordination between these actors, but it cannot remove the underlying commercial risk.

5. Water and sustainability

Green hydrogen also creates resource concerns. Hydrogen production requires significant quantities of water, while cooling can add to the requirement. The Ramagundam hub assessment, for example, estimates around 10 kg of demineralised water and 25 to 35 kg of cooling water for each kilogram of hydrogen (IGEF, n.d.). The scale of India’s 5 million tonne target therefore makes water availability and local environmental impacts important considerations, particularly in water stressed regions.

6. From commitments to projects

The biggest institutional challenge is converting a non-binding framework into operating projects. The Roadmap contains no binding bilateral trade targets and no fixed delivery obligations (Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). The AM Green and Uniper agreement is an important commercial development, but first deliveries are expected only from 2028 (AM Green, 2026).

This leaves a clear gap between policy commitments and physical trade. The Task Force can provide standards, information, financing links and business networks. It cannot create demand, guarantee commercial returns or alter EU rules.

Overall, demand is the key constraint. If European buyers are willing to pay for certified green hydrogen and ammonia, the case for investment in renewable power, electrolysers, ports and finance becomes stronger. If that demand remains dependent on large subsidies, other parts of the value chain will also struggle to scale. The future of Indo German hydrogen cooperation will therefore depend less on creating new dialogue and more on whether existing frameworks produce competitive projects and regular trade.

Way Forward

The main gap in Indo German hydrogen cooperation is no longer a lack of ideas, but limited ownership, timelines and measurable outcomes. The next phase should move from consultation to implementation, with demand, certification, finance, infrastructure and coordination addressed in sequence.

1. Create reliable demand

SECI should move from exploring H2Global and EU Hydrogen Bank participation to a time bound offtake pilot with a clear lead agency (Indo German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024). The proposed offtake guarantee mechanism should also be developed or formally dropped. Regulatory demand through RED III, FuelEU Maritime and CBAM could provide more stable markets, particularly in fertiliser, refining and shipping (European Commission, 2023).

2. Reduce certification uncertainty

India and Germany should focus on compatibility between Indian and EU certification systems rather than seeking exemptions. A technical group could address renewable electricity sourcing, grid conditions and temporal matching, while early certification of export projects could reduce investor uncertainty (Indo German Green Hydrogen Roadmap, 2024).

3. Strengthen financing

Existing instruments such as KfW’s PtX Development Fund should be combined with Indian and bilateral financing. Germany’s new GSDP commitments could include a clearer hydrogen component (AIR, 2026). The two sides should also clarify the Article 6.2 framework and decide whether H2Uppp requires a successor.

4. Support technology and manufacturing

Future cooperation should move beyond technology access towards joint manufacturing, licensing and testing, especially for electrolyser components. The proposed national testing facility and joint research should focus on practical issues such as electrolyser durability, ammonia cracking, water efficient production and offshore wind based hydrogen.

5. Align infrastructure with projects

Production hubs, export ports and German import infrastructure should be developed alongside credible demand rather than ahead of it. The Kakinada project can provide an early test of India’s export system once shipments begin.

6. Strengthen monitoring and industry participation

An annual implementation report should track commissioned capacity, binding offtake agreements, investment and actual shipments. Greater industry participation in IGEF Subgroup V could also help identify commercial barriers and connect projects with buyers and financiers.

7. Include sustainability

Water availability and local environmental impacts should be assessed before projects scale up. The Task Force’s pending work on water and social impacts should inform project selection and financing (IGEF, n.d.).

8. Link bilateral and EU cooperation

The India EU Green Hydrogen Task Force provides a wider platform for issues such as certification, auctions and market access. India Germany cooperation should therefore feed into this EU level mechanism rather than operate separately (PMO, 2026).

Sequencing

The next phase should be judged less by new commitments and more by what reaches operation. The Task Force has created the framework; its credibility will depend on whether it produces financed projects, operating capacity and regular India-German hydrogen trade.

References

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About the Contributor

Pragya Raghav is pursuing a B.A. (Hons.) in History at Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi, with a minor in Political Science. She is passionate about public policy, international relations, governance, climate policy, and sustainable development. Through research and policy analysis, she aims to contribute to evidence-based policymaking and create meaningful social impact.

Disclaimer : The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute) or any other affiliated organisation.

Name of the reviewer: Anamika P K and Samiksha Muskan

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