<article><p class="lead">The Indian state of Gujarat aims to become a "global hub of green hydrogen manufacturing capacity" with production of 8mn t/yr in the next 10-12 years, according to the state's cabinet minister of industries Balvantsinh Rajput.</p><p>Scaling hydrogen, batteries and green manufacturing are integral to the state's plan to double down on manufacturing and the government is supporting its industries to switch to renewable energy, Rajput told the B20 business summit in Gandhinagar.</p><p>Gujarat already contributes 9pc of India's gross domestic product (GDP) and 18pc of its industrial output. The state wants to grow its economy to $500bn by 2026-27 and $1 trillion by 2030-32, while increasing the share of manufacturing in GDP to more than 50pc over the next decade from 35pc today, Rajput said.</p><p>The combination of India's <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2409334">hydrogen strategy</a>, which was announced this month, and an assistance scheme for industry should enable Gujurat to hit its hydrogen targets and spur green manufacturing of fertilizers, steel and chemicals. The state has "ample availability of wasteland" which can be used for wind and solar power generation and, in turn, production of renewable hydrogen and ammonia, Rajput said. </p><p>Gujarat is India's main export hub, handling 40pc of the country's cargo from its 49 ports, he said. Rajput did not say if he expects Gujurat to export cargoes of hydrogen and ammonia or downstream products.</p><p>The state's 920km² Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) will emerge as a global manufacturing hub in a few years, he said. Authorities have been pushing the newly created city for over a decade and while progress appears to have been slow, companies including Indian conglomerate Reliance are <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2291393">considering projects</a> in the SIR.</p><p class="bylines">By Aidan Lea</p></article>
