John Cockerill is ramping up its green energy operations in India, with a goal to double its electrolyzer manufacturing capacity from 1 GW to 2 GW by 2029. The strategic move aligns with India’s push towards green hydrogen and net-zero ambitions, said Vivek Bhide, Regional President – India and Group Transformation Officer at John Cockerill.
“India will account for a significant share of our global green hydrogen business. We’re among the few players with confirmed demand already in place,” Bhide noted.
JV with AM Green Anchors Electrolyzer Facility
John Cockerill is developing the company’s electrolyzer manufacturing plant through a joint venture with AM Green (formerly Greenko) in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The first 1 GW production line will go live by 2026, with plans to expand to 2 GW by 2029. The company has also secured a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) allocation to manufacture 300 MW of electrolyzers annually.
Advanced Electrolyzer Tech for Industrial Use
John Cockerill will deploy pressurized alkaline electrolyzer technology at the facility, optimized for industrial-scale applications. The plant’s anchor customer, AM Green, will use the electrolyzers to produce downstream green fuels such as ammonia and methanol—key components in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
India a Key Market in Global Strategy
India is emerging as a crucial market for John Cockerill, particularly in the green hydrogen space. The country targets 12–14 GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030 to meet its goal of producing five million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen. John Cockerill aims to supply at least 2 GW of this, accounting for roughly 15% of India’s projected total.
Expanding Footprint Beyond Energy
Beyond green hydrogen, John Cockerill is also venturing into new sectors in India, including defense manufacturing, nuclear servicing support, and steel decarbonization technologies. These moves reflect the company’s broader strategy to align with India’s sustainability and economic growth objectives.
Building Local Capability and Innovation
To support its growing presence, John Cockerill is also developing a robust engineering, operations, and maintenance (O&M) services team in India. As reported by etenergyworld.com, Bhide emphasized that much of the company’s innovation and development in green hydrogen technology will now take place locally, reinforcing India’s position as a key hub in its global operations.
