Sustainable Clean Hydrogen Transition: Evaluating the Interdependent Barriers in the Electrolyzer Industry

This paper explores the barriers impacting the electrolyzer industry in emerging hydrogen-transition economies like India, assesses how these barriers interact, and proposes a phased strategic intervention roadmap that supports sustainable industry growth aligned with the national decarbonization goals. Through a detailed literature review, expert opinions, and multi-stage validation, nine barriers were analyzed using DEMATEL methodology to classify cause-effect relationships and identify their significant interdependencies. These challenges were then grouped as root causes, pivot barriers, and symptom barriers to prioritize the interventions. Policy uncertainty and regulatory gaps emerged as the most influential barrier, followed by low technology awareness and a shortage of skilled workers. Considering the existing energy resources the country has, the proposed coordinated strategy suggests short- and long-term actions, including green hydrogen-specific regulations; technology and workforce development; water-efficient electrolyzer technologies; expanded storage and distribution; low-carbon alternatives with CCUS; and tailored financial support to accelerate a resilient, environmentally responsible green hydrogen ecosystem in India. The study’s novel causal-mapping approach, combined with a phased intervention roadmap, helps stakeholders align risk-mitigation and investment decisions to support balanced, sustainable growth by integrating clean or low-carbon hydrogen technologies in developing economies like India.