Reliance Industries is moving ahead with construction of a green hydrogen complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, positioning itself at the centre of India’s nascent hydrogen economy.
The $10bn project, announced by chairman Mukesh Ambani, will anchor Reliance’s broader push into renewable fuels. It will integrate solar and wind capacity with electrolyser technology to produce green hydrogen at scale, with first output targeted for 2027.
India has set a goal of producing 5m tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030 as part of its clean energy transition. Reliance intends to supply both domestic industry and export markets in Europe and Asia, where demand is growing under net-zero mandates.
The Jamnagar complex will also manufacture electrolysers and advanced fuel cells. Reliance executives say vertical integration will help bring down costs, which remain two to three times higher than natural gas–based hydrogen.
The company has secured land, water and renewable power permits and is in talks with global partners for technology and finance. Analysts note that Reliance’s balance sheet strength and execution record in petrochemicals and telecoms could give it an advantage over smaller developers.
However, challenges persist. Hydrogen transport infrastructure is limited, and global prices remain volatile. Domestic demand will depend on adoption by steelmakers, fertiliser plants and refiners.
The Jamnagar complex signals Reliance’s intention to dominate India’s emerging hydrogen market, while hedging its core refining business against global decarbonisation pressures.