Kerala shines at Davos: Green Hydrogen Valley wins global spotlight at WEF 2025

Kerala shines at Davos: Green Hydrogen Valley wins global spotlight at WEF 2025

The Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley is one of the 13 leading industrial clusters recently recognised globally for their efforts to decarbonise. These projects span countries like Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

Kerala has added a significant feather to its cap, with its ‘Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley’ initiative earning recognition at the prestigious 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, held from 20 to 24 January.

The state’s ambitious project was highlighted during the release of the WEF’s report, “Unleashing the Full Potential of Industrial Clusters: Infrastructure Solutions for Clean Energies,” a moment of immense pride that cements Kerala’s place on the global map of sustainable energy innovation.

The Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley is one of the 13 leading industrial clusters recently recognised globally for their efforts to decarbonise. These projects span countries like Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.

Of five initiatives from India included in the WEF’s “Transitioning Industrial Clusters towards Net Zero”, Kerala’s project stands out as a frontrunner in green hydrogen development.

In the words of WEF,

This zone in Kerala is central to India’s decarbonisation efforts by scaling hydrogen-powered transport.

What is the Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley?

The Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley, spearheaded by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), envisions a fully integrated hydrogen ecosystem that addresses climate challenges while driving sustainable economic growth.

Hydrogen valleys are defined geographic areas where hydrogen applications — production, storage, distribution, and utilization—are integrated into a unified ecosystem.

This allows for economies of scale and fosters collaboration among producers, consumers, and infrastructure developers.

Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley is designed to reduce carbon emissions across critical sectors, particularly transportation, which accounts for nearly 50% of the state’s annual CO₂ emissions.

It has been estimated that the demand for green hydrogen in Kerala is presently concentrated in six sectors (refineries, fertilisers, road transport, water transport, chemicals and exports).

The state’s efforts are well-aligned with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce five million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

Green hydrogen: The game-changer

Green hydrogen is produced through water electrolysis using renewable energy sources like solar and wind, resulting in zero greenhouse gas emissions.

It offers transformative potential for decarbonizing industries such as petrochemicals, ammonia production, and transportation. In Kerala, green hydrogen is viewed as the most scalable and affordable solution for hard-to-abate sectors.

Recognising this potential, Kerala has committed to establishing robust infrastructure, including hydrogen refuelling stations, renewable energy-powered production facilities, and the deployment of hydrogen-powered vehicles and boats.

ANERT’s pilot projects and collaborative efforts with private technology partners aim to make the Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley a model for sustainable hydrogen adoption in India.

As per an action plan prepared by the state government a three-phased strategy is being planned for the Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley — preparation of green hydrogen clusters, deployment of technologies for green hydrogen and upscaling of the use of green hydrogen in industry.

While ANERT will act as the nodal agency, which will coordinate the activities across sectors and across the value-chain needed to develop a successful hydrogen valley, a separate Kerala Hydrogen Council (a department under ANERT) will be formed to achieve the stated objectives linked to the development of hydrogen economy in Kerala.

There is also a plan to register a Kerala Green Hydrogen Hub (ANERT subsidiary company).

Ambitious goals and key projects

Kerala’s Green Hydrogen Valley initiative has several ambitious goals under the WEF’s Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative:

• Hydrogen-powered Public Transport: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is integrating hydrogen-powered buses into its 5,600-strong fleet, reducing emissions from public transport.
• Freight Transport Transformation: Hydrogen-powered trucks are being introduced into the freight sector to replace diesel-heavy alternatives.
• Waterway Innovations: The Kochi Water Metro is exploring hydrogen-powered boats to offer zero-emission water-based transport solutions.
  Infrastructure Development: The project includes hydrogen refuelling stations and renewable energy-based hydrogen production facilities to scale up adoption and accessibility.

A global initiative with a local impact

An article, authored jointly by Kerala Department of Energy Additional Chief Secretary KR Jyothilal and ANERT CEO Narendra Nath Veluri in December, said,

As a member of the Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, the Green Hydrogen Valley project aims to establish a fully integrated hydrogen ecosystem, positioning Kerala as a national model for hydrogen-powered sustainability.

It further highlighted that Kerala is breaking barriers to hydrogen adoption with robust policies, partnerships, and awareness efforts.

An excerpt from the article read,

The southwestern state, known for its environmental progressiveness, is advancing hydrogen adoption in transportation to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

“Transportation accounts for nearly half of Kerala’s 17.2 million tons of CO₂ emissions, making this sector critical for decarbonisation. As India’s leader in electric vehicle adoption, Kerala is now focusing on hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, and boats,”

Kerala’s Hydrogen Valley exemplifies the initiative’s vision by not only reducing emissions but also creating jobs and advancing innovation.

Kerala’s green vision

Kerala’s proactive policies and incentives have been instrumental in making this vision a reality. ANERT highlighted that the state offers subsidies for refuelling stations, tax breaks for hydrogen production, and significant support for research and development through the Centre of Excellence for Green Hydrogen.

Investments worth $30 million have already been initiated, with proposals for $1.2 billion in ammonia exports under evaluation.

The Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley’s success also leverages the state’s leadership in electric vehicle adoption, with 5.2 percent of passenger vehicles and 13.5 percecnt of two-wheelers in Kerala already being electric.

By integrating green hydrogen into its energy ecosystem, Kerala is setting a benchmark for other Indian states to follow.

Paving the way for India’s hydrogen future

An official of ANERT told South First, said:

Kerala’s leadership in hydrogen mobility has far-reaching implications for India’s energy transition.

“With over 41 countries globally adopting national hydrogen strategies, Kerala is positioning itself as a significant contributor to the global hydrogen economy. Its innovative initiatives are expected to guide India’s broader hydrogen ambitions, paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future,”

As the world accelerates toward a net-zero future, Kerala’s Green Hydrogen Valley stands as a shining example of how local innovation can address global challenges, proving that small states can make big strides in the race against climate change.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Kerala shines at Davos: Green Hydrogen Valley wins global spotlight at WEF 2025, source

The post Kerala shines at Davos: Green Hydrogen Valley wins global spotlight at WEF 2025 appeared first on Hydrogen Central.