Govt launches Rs 100 crore fund scheme for startups to aid innovations in green hydrogen

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, on Thursday announced a ₹100 crore fund to support startups working on green hydrogen innovation.

The announcement was made at the 1st Annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in Delhi, hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

Under the scheme, startups can get up to ₹5 crore per project for pilot work in hydrogen production, storage, transport, and use.

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At the event, 25 startups are showcasing their ideas, including electrolyser manufacturing, AI-based optimisation and biological hydrogen solutions.

Joshi said the scheme is meant to turn research into real-world solutions that can power industries, clean up cities, and create lakhs of jobs across India.

He also pointed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched in 2023 with a ₹19,744 crore budget, to make India a global hub for green hydrogen.

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So far, 23 R&D projects have already been funded in areas like safety, biomass-based hydrogen production, integration, and hydrogen applications.

India’s first port-based green hydrogen project at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, along with hydrogen buses, refuelling stations, and pilots in steel and shipping, show how the mission is moving from vision to action.

Joshi highlighted that in India’s first green ammonia auction, prices fell to a record low of ₹49.75 per kg, compared to ₹100.28 per kg in 2024—a big step toward affordability.

He added that both big companies and startups are investing to build a full hydrogen value chain, creating jobs and boosting exports.

Reaffirming India’s NGHM targets, Joshi said the country plans to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen a year by 2030, add 125 GW of renewable energy, attract ₹8 lakh crore in investments, and cut 50 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

The two-day Green Hydrogen R&D Conference will feature expert talks, discussions, and a startup expo, underscoring India’s push to lead the global hydrogen economy.

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