Emphasising the strategic role of green steel in India's industrial and environmental future, Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries, Prahlad Joshi, Friday underlined that the  strategic shift is not just an economic objective but a national imperative.

“Green steel is now viable and scalable, and reforms and cost reductions in renewable energy and electrolysers are making it increasingly competitive,” said Joshi.

He was speaking at the inauguration of AIIFA STEELEX-2025 and the 37th National Conference on Sustainable Steel at the Bombay Exhibition Centre here. The event  brought together key stakeholders from the steel and energy sectors to discuss India’s green transition.

Noting that green steel aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sustainable growth and industrial transformation, Joshi  lauded Maharashtra’s pioneering role in clean energy initiatives and said it  highlights  the success of the PM-KUSUM scheme, also known as the “Maharashtra Model.”

He cited the state’s Green Hydrogen Policy, which targets 5 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen capacity by 2030, and the launch of the Pune Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster as benchmarks for other states to follow.

“Maharashtra is emerging as a strong pillar in India’s green steel ecosystem,” he said, commending the state’s integration of renewable energy and hydrogen projects.

Further, providing an update on the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), Joshi said the initiative is backed by an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore and aims to:

· Produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030

· Add 125 GW of renewable energy capacity

· Attract Rs 8 lakh crore in investments

· Generate 6 lakh jobs

· Prevent 50 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually

The union minister announced that five pilot projects worth Rs 132 crore are already underway in the steel sector. Additionally, Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin are being developed as major Green Hydrogen Hubs. He also outlined supporting initiatives such as the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme, the Green Hydrogen Safety Panel, and the National Single Window Portal for electrolyser manufacturing.
On cost reforms and affordability, Joshi  noted that green hydrogen prices are expected to fall below $2/kg by 2030, driven by:

· Decreased solar and hybrid power costs (Rs 4.5/unit vs  Rs 6.5/unit for thermal)

· GST reduction to 5% on renewable energy equipment and electrolysers

“These cost reforms are also making solar energy schemes more accessible. The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM are now more affordable, reducing solar pump costs by Rs 1,750 crore and bringing down rooftop solar system costs by Rs 9,000–10,500 per unit,” he said.

Joshi also announced the signing of seven strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 25,560 crore. These agreements are expected to create 22,600 jobs and support the development of Vidarbha as a key steel manufacturing hub.

“With its industrial and academic ecosystem, Maharashtra is well positioned to lead full-scale green hydrogen pilots and become a global contributor to the hydrogen value chain,” Joshi said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis commended the initiative, calling it a vital step in India’s emergence as a global green steel leader.
The union minister  urged all stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of green hydrogen technologies, invest in research and development, and focus on workforce skilling. He also emphasized the need for the Indian steel industry to prepare for international trade regulations such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and to adopt circular economy models and clean technologies.

“With expanding FTAs and domestic reforms, we envision exporting up to 50 million tonnes of steel annually. But we must be future-ready to stay competitive,” he added.

The event also saw the launch of Green Certificate to recognize steel manufacturers excelling in decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and green technology adoption and AIIFA STEELEX-2025 Souvenir, a publication documenting key developments, innovations, and best practices in sustainable steel manufacturing.