By Enersider Desk | New Delhi
The Union government today announced a fresh ₹100 crore fund specifically for start-ups working on green hydrogen technology. The announcement was made by Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, at the inauguration of the first-ever Green Hydrogen Research & Development Conference.
The new ‘Call for Proposals’ will offer up to ₹5 crore per project to help start-ups develop and test new ideas for producing, storing, transporting, and using green hydrogen. Twenty-five start-ups are already showcasing their innovations at the conference, including new ways to make electrolysers and using artificial intelligence to improve hydrogen systems.
Minister Joshi stated that the conference is focused on turning research into real-world solutions that can power industries, clean up cities, and create hundreds of thousands of new jobs. He highlighted the progress of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023 with a massive budget of ₹19,744 crore. The government reported rapid progress under the mission. So far, 23 research projects have been approved in key areas like producing hydrogen from biomass and ensuring its safe use. These projects involve top institutions like IITs and are part of a larger ₹400 crore R&D programme.
The green hydrogen ecosystem is already taking shape on the ground. India’s first port-based pilot project is running in Tamil Nadu, and five pilot projects are exploring using hydrogen to make cleaner steel. In a major achievement, the country’s first green ammonia auction discovered a record-low price of ₹49.75 per kg, almost half of last year’s price. To support this growth, the government has already set standards aligned with global norms, waived transmission charges, and is developing special hydrogen hubs at Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin ports to make India a major exporter.
Reiterating India’s ambitious targets, Joshi said the mission aims to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. This is expected to attract ₹8 lakh crore in investment, create over six lakh new jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by 50 million tonnes each year.
The two-day conference, featuring expert sessions and a start-up expo, underscores India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in the green hydrogen revolution.
