Has the Government Unveiled a Rs 100 Crore Fund to Propel Green Hydrogen Start-ups?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rs 100 crore fund to support green hydrogen start-ups.
- Up to Rs 5 crore available per project.
- Focus on hydrogen production, storage, and transport technologies.
- 25 start-ups showcasing innovations at the conference.
- India aims to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
New Delhi, Sep 11 (NationPress) The Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, announced on Thursday the launch of a Rs 100 crore Call for Proposals aimed at fostering innovation among start-ups in the field of green hydrogen.
This significant announcement was made during the 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference, which was organized by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in the capital city.
The funding scheme will offer up to Rs 5 crore for each project, focusing on pilot initiatives in key areas such as hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization technologies.
During the conference, 25 start-ups are presenting their groundbreaking innovations, including electrolyser manufacturing, AI-driven optimization, and biological hydrogen solutions.
Joshi emphasized that this initiative aims to convert research into practical solutions that can energize industries, purify urban environments, and create numerous new jobs nationwide.
He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which was launched in 2023 with an allocated budget of Rs 19,744 crore, intending to establish India as a global leader in green hydrogen.
The minister also noted the progress made so far, which includes the awarding of 23 R&D projects in critical areas such as safety, integration, hydrogen production from biomass, and hydrogen applications.
Examples of this mission transitioning from vision to reality include India’s inaugural port-based green hydrogen pilot project at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, along with hydrogen buses, refueling stations, and pilot projects in the steel and shipping sectors.
Joshi highlighted that India has recently achieved a historic low price of Rs 49.75 per kg in its first green ammonia auction, significantly down from Rs 100.28 per kg in 2024, marking a crucial advancement in affordability.
He mentioned that both large corporations and start-ups are heavily investing to construct a comprehensive hydrogen value chain, creating job opportunities and enhancing India’s export capacity.
Reiterating India’s ambitions under NGHM, Joshi stated that the country targets to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, add 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, attract investments of Rs 8 lakh crore, and cut down 50 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
The two-day Green Hydrogen R&D Conference will present expert sessions, interactive discussions, and a start-up expo, showcasing India’s vigorous push towards becoming a global frontrunner in the hydrogen economy.