New Delhi : In a significant step towards accelerating the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Government of India has officially notified the Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards for India on 27 February 2026. The standards have been issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to define emission limits and eligibility criteria required for ammonia and methanol to be classified as green fuels produced using green hydrogen from renewable energy sources.
According to the notification, Green Ammonia must meet strict emission norms. The total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions arising from green hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, purification, compression and on-site storage must not exceed 0.38 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of ammonia (kg CO₂ eq/kg NH₃). The emissions will be calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period.
Similarly, the newly notified Green Methanol Standard specifies that total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions from green hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification and on-site storage should not exceed 0.44 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of methanol (kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH), calculated as an annual average over the previous 12 months.
The notification further clarifies that carbon dioxide used for green methanol production may be sourced from biogenic sources, Direct Air Capture (DAC), or existing industrial emissions. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy may revise the eligible sources of carbon dioxide from time to time, with any changes being applied prospectively along with appropriate grandfathering provisions.
It has also been specified that in the production of green ammonia and green methanol, renewable energy may include electricity generated from renewable sources that is stored in energy storage systems or banked with the power grid, in accordance with applicable regulations.
The ministry also stated that detailed methodologies for measurement, monitoring, reporting, on-site verification and certification of green ammonia and green methanol will be issued separately.
As per the notification, tenders, bid processes or procurement activities issued before the notification date will continue to follow the existing terms and conditions. However, procuring entities may align such tenders with the new standards where feasible and with mutual agreement between stakeholders.
Experts believe that the notification of Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards will provide regulatory clarity for industry players, investors and developers working in the green hydrogen ecosystem. The move is expected to accelerate the decarbonisation of sectors such as fertilizers, shipping, power generation and heavy industries, while strengthening India’s position as a global hub for green hydrogen and green fuel exports.
Indian developers involved in green hydrogen projects are increasingly targeting international export markets for green ammonia and green methanol. With this notification, India has further strengthened its policy and regulatory framework for green hydrogen and its derivatives, supporting the long-term goals of the National Green Hydrogen Mission and the country’s clean energy transition.