Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi kicked off a big boost for green hydrogen innovation on Thursday. He launched a Rs 100 crore Call for Proposals to help startups develop cutting-edge green hydrogen technologies. This exciting move happened at the first-ever Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in New Delhi, organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
The new scheme offers up to Rs 5 crore per project. It targets pilot projects in key areas like hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization. Imagine cleaner energy powering factories and cities— that’s the goal here.
At the conference, 25 startups stole the show with their innovative ideas. They’re working on everything from electrolyser manufacturing and AI-driven optimization to biological hydrogen solutions. Joshi shared his excitement, saying this push will turn research into real-world fixes that fuel industries, make cities greener, and create lakhs of jobs across India.
He spotlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which kicked off in 2023 with a massive Rs 19,744 crore budget. The mission aims to position India as a global leader in green hydrogen production.
Progress is already rolling! The government has awarded 23 R&D projects so far, focusing on safety, biomass-based hydrogen, and practical applications. Real-life examples include India’s first port-based green hydrogen pilot at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, hydrogen buses with refuelling stations, and trials in steel and shipping sectors. These steps show the mission shifting from plans to action.
Joshi highlighted a major win: India just hit a record low price of Rs 49.75 per kg in its first green ammonia auction—down from Rs 100.28 per kg in 2024. This makes green hydrogen more affordable and ramps up its potential.
Big companies and startups alike are pouring investments into building a full hydrogen value chain. This not only creates jobs but also boosts India’s exports in the clean energy space.
Looking ahead, the NGHM sets ambitious targets for 2030: producing 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen each year, adding 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, drawing in Rs 8 lakh crore in investments, and cutting 50 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
The two-day conference keeps the momentum going with expert talks, lively discussions, and a startup expo. It’s a clear sign of India’s drive to lead the world in the hydrogen economy.
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