In Short : India is set to become a major green hydrogen hub, according to Gérard Mestrallet, France’s special envoy for IMEC. The corridor links India, the Middle East, and Europe, facilitating hydrogen transport. With the EU targeting 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen imports by 2030, India’s growing infrastructure strengthens its role in the global energy transition.
In Detail : Gérard Mestrallet, the French President’s special envoy for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), has highlighted India’s growing potential in the renewable energy sector, particularly in green hydrogen production. He emphasized that India is steadily emerging as a key player in the global green hydrogen market, positioning itself as a major hub in the coming years.
IMEC, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening connectivity and trade between India, the Middle East, and Europe, plays a crucial role in this transition. The corridor integrates rail, sea, digital, and energy networks, including pipelines for green hydrogen transport. The project is designed to connect major production hubs in India and Saudi Arabia with consumption centers in the European Union, ensuring a stable supply chain.
The European Union has set a target of importing 10 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, accounting for half of its projected demand. To meet this goal, the development of large-scale green hydrogen production and export infrastructure is essential. Mestrallet noted that during his visit to the port of Mundra, he witnessed significant infrastructure developments that could transform it into a major green hydrogen export hub.
Launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, IMEC is backed by eight key participants: India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, and the USA. Spanning approximately 6,400 kilometers, the corridor combines maritime and land routes to streamline the movement of goods, energy, and digital connectivity, reinforcing trade relations among the participating nations.
France has reaffirmed its commitment to the IMEC initiative by appointing Mestrallet as a special envoy, recognizing the project’s strategic importance. This reflects a broader global push toward sustainable energy solutions, with nations working together to accelerate the decarbonization of industries and promote green hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
Mestrallet’s remarks underscore India’s rapidly expanding role in the renewable energy sector and the significance of international collaborations in shaping the future of green hydrogen. As infrastructure and policy frameworks evolve, India’s position as a global hub for green hydrogen production is set to strengthen, driving the country’s transition toward a sustainable energy future.
