Rs 100 Cr Fund For Proposals To Support Hydrogen Start-Ups

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Sep 12 (KNN) The 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference was inaugurated in New Delhi on Thursday, where a new Rs 100 crore Call for Proposals was announced to support start-ups in hydrogen innovation.

The initiative will provide up to Rs 5 crore per project for pilot-scale work in hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilisation technologies.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the conference and launched the initiative.

At the accompanying start-up exhibition, 25 companies showcased innovations ranging from electrolyser manufacturing and AI-driven optimisation tools to biological hydrogen production methods.

Speaking to researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and policymakers, Joshi said the conference aims to convert research into deployable solutions capable of powering industries, reducing urban pollution, and creating large-scale employment opportunities.

The mission is built on four pillars: policy and regulation, demand creation, R&D and innovation, and enabling infrastructure.

Joshi said India's hydrogen ecosystem is shifting from concept to implementation.

Ongoing projects include the first port-based pilot at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu, hydrogen-based decarbonisation pilots in the steel sector, retrofitting of vessels and refuelling stations in Tuticorin Port, hydrogen buses and fuelling facilities in transport, and the country's first green ammonia auction, which recently discovered a record low price of Rs 49.75 per kg compared to over Rs 100 per kg in 2024.

Supplies from the auction will begin at Paradeep Phosphates in Odisha.

Highlighting research progress, Joshi noted that under NGHM's dedicated R&D scheme, 23 projects have already been awarded in areas including biomass-based hydrogen, non-biomass production routes, applications, and safety.

These projects are being implemented by leading IITs, IISERs, CSIR laboratories, and industry partners. A second round of proposals launched in July remains open until September 15.

On the international front, cooperation with the EU under the Trade and Technology Council has drawn over 30 joint proposals on waste-to-hydrogen production.

The minister also pointed to enablers already in place: the Green Hydrogen Standard and Certification Scheme aligned with over 140 international norms, five sanctioned testing facilities, certification of 5,600 hydrogen-related trainees, and regulatory waivers such as transmission charge exemptions.

Dedicated hubs at Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin ports are being developed to enhance export competitiveness.

Large enterprises including NTPC, Reliance, and IOCL, as well as start-ups and MSMEs, are investing across the value chain.

Reiterating India's targets, Joshi said NGHM aims to achieve five million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2030, backed by 125 GW of new renewable capacity, USD 8 lakh crore in investments, six lakh jobs, and an annual reduction of 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

(KNN Bureau)

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