NEW DELHI: Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi today announced a ₹100 crore call for proposals to develop pilot projects focused on biomass-based green hydrogen production, marking a new milestone in India’s clean energy transition under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 3rd International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2025) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the Minister said the NGHM is accelerating India’s shift towards renewable energy while positioning the country as a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.
Lauding the rapid strides made under the Mission, Shri Joshi also launched the official logo of NGHM, chosen from over 2,500 public entries, symbolising India’s commitment to sustainability and people’s participation in the green journey.
“The Mission marks a new phase in India’s clean-energy revolution—where green hydrogen is seen as the fuel of a new civilization and the key to achieving long-term energy independence,” he said. The newly announced ₹100 crore biomass-hydrogen pilot scheme, to be implemented through BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council), will support innovations using waste and biomass as feedstock for green hydrogen generation.
The Minister added that the Mission has already approved significant investments, including ₹132 crore for five green steel projects, ₹208 crore for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and refuelling stations, and ₹35 crore for India’s first hydrogen bunkering facility at V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
Massive Investment and Employment Potential
Highlighting the economic scale of the initiative, MNRE Secretary Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi said the Mission is expected to mobilise over ₹8 lakh crore in investments, create six lakh new jobs, and save ₹1 lakh crore annually in fossil fuel imports. India, he noted, is now the world’s lowest-cost producer of green ammonia, priced at just ₹49.75 per kg.
He also emphasised India’s broader renewable energy growth, with non-fossil installed capacity surpassing 250 GW, including 130 GW solar and 50 GW wind. “India is on track to achieve 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030,” he said, adding that four Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters have been established in Jodhpur, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Kerala to strengthen domestic R&D and manufacturing ecosystems.
Building Skills and Standards for a Green Future
Minister Joshi informed that 43 hydrogen-related skill qualifications have been approved and 6,300 trainees certified, supported by robust frameworks such as the Green Hydrogen Standard (2023) and Certification Scheme (2025).
“Green hydrogen is now an economic necessity, not just an environmental choice,” the Minister said. “India aims to lead the global clean value chain while keeping growth competitive and climate-resilient.”
India’s Global Leadership in Green Hydrogen
Prof. Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, underlined that NGHM is advancing across four key pillars — policy, demand creation, R&D, and enabling infrastructure. With its low-cost production advantage, India is poised to become a major exporter of green hydrogen to markets including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea, he added.
The two-day ICGH-2025 conference, hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), brings together global policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to discuss new technologies, policy frameworks, and international collaborations in the green hydrogen value chain.
With its latest ₹100 crore push for biomass-based hydrogen innovation, India continues to position itself at the forefront of the global clean energy transformation, driving economic growth, technological innovation, and environmental stewardship.
