In order to assist start-ups engaged in green hydrogen innovation, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi issued a call for proposals on Thursday worth Rs 100 crore.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) held the first annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in the nation’s capital, where the news was made.

Under the initiative, pilot projects in fields including hydrogen generation, storage, transportation, and use technologies will receive up to Rs 5 crore in financing each.

Biological hydrogen solutions, AI-driven optimization, and electrolyser manufacturing are among the ideas being showcased by 25 start-ups at the conference.

The program, according to Joshi, aims to transform research into workable solutions that can power companies, clean cities, and create thousands of new employment nationwide.

He emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of making India a global center for green hydrogen through the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which was established in 2023 with a budget of Rs 19,744 crore.

The minister also emphasized the advancements made thus far, citing 23 R&D projects that have already been granted in fields such as safety and integration, biomass-based hydrogen production, and hydrogen applications.

Examples of the mission’s transition from vision to action were given, including the first port-based green hydrogen pilot project in India at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, hydrogen buses and refueling stations, and pilot projects in the shipping and steel industries.

Joshi noted that in its first-ever green ammonia auction, India just found a record low price of Rs 49.75 per kg, compared to Rs 100.28 per kg in 2024, indicating a significant advancement in affordability.

He added that both big businesses and startups are making significant investments to develop a whole hydrogen value chain, which will increase India’s export potential and generate job opportunities.

Joshi reiterated India’s NGHM goals, which include reducing 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly, adding 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, attracting investments worth Rs 8 lakh crore, and producing five million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

With expert presentations, interactive debates, and a start-up expo, the two-day Green Hydrogen R&D Conference will showcase India’s determination to lead the world in the hydrogen economy.