The Indian Government has introduced a new initiative through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to support special pilot projects for green hydrogen. This step is part of the broader National Green Hydrogen Mission, which was launched in January 2023 with a total budget of more than ₹19,000 crore. The main goal of the mission is to make India a global leader in the production, use, and export of green hydrogen. It also aims to help the country become more self-reliant in clean energy and reduce its dependence on polluting fuels.
Under this new plan, the government will focus on supporting projects that try out innovative ways of producing and using green hydrogen. Some of these methods include using electricity from floating solar panels, turning plant materials like biomass into energy, and even using wastewater for hydrogen production. These ideas will be tested to see if they are effective, safe, and practical for daily use.
The projects will also study the possible uses of green hydrogen in regular activities such as cooking, home heating, and generating electricity in areas that are not connected to the main electricity grid. In addition, there will be efforts to see if green hydrogen can be used in vehicles that operate off-road, such as those used in agriculture or construction. Another important part of the plan is to find out if making green hydrogen in smaller, local units—such as with rooftop solar panels or small hydroelectric plants—can reduce the need for transporting it over long distances.
The idea of using wastewater from factories or cities is also being looked at. This could help save fresh water while still producing clean energy. These projects will help experts and the government understand the challenges involved, such as technology issues, rules and regulations, or supply problems. Learning from these small-scale projects can help in planning how green hydrogen can be used on a larger scale in the future.
To support this effort, the government has reserved ₹200 crore for these pilot projects, which will run until March 2026. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will appoint specific agencies to manage the plan. These agencies will invite proposals from a wide range of groups, including government-run companies, private businesses, research institutions, and startups.
When choosing the projects, the agencies will look at how new the ideas are, how much money they will need, and how easy it will be to use them on a larger scale later. The government will provide funding for the equipment and any necessary changes needed for producing and using green hydrogen. However, the funds will not cover costs like land purchase or water supply.
The progress of these projects will be carefully monitored by different committees to make sure they are moving in the right direction and achieving their goals. These pilot projects are seen as an important step in shaping the future of green hydrogen in India. By testing different technologies and uses now, the government hopes to make green hydrogen a key part of the country’s clean energy system in the coming years.
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