Gujarat Conducts First Stakeholder Meeting on Hydrogen Valley Project

The DST has envisioned developing different industrial clusters to boost green hydrogen technology. It aims at promoting research on novel hydrogen technologies while building capacity and capability for its production, distribution, and use cases in a timely and cost-effective manner. Sunil Parekh, a Board Member of the FICCI National Executive Council, also joined the event and served as one of the co-chairs for the event at Ahmedabad.

Ranjith Krishna Pai, a Scientist at the Climate Change & Clean Energy Division of the DST, presented the guidelines for setting up Hydrogen Valley Innovation clusters. He said, “As part of India’s commitment to reducing emissions, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is proud to associate with various stakeholders to explore unique partnerships and policy frameworks for state-of-the-art hydrogen technologies. We believe that with breakthrough innovations and widespread adoption, we can unlock cost-competitiveness and achieve a successful model for the Hydrogen Valley Innovation clusters across India.”

In its first meeting, a leading innovation-based start-up incubator, representatives from stakeholders such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Gujarat government, industry partners, financial institutions, academia, and innovators explored aspects of policy and framework along with unique partnerships to further R&D in state-of-the-art hydrogen technologies.

Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, said, ” With the help of innovation and technology, India has always been at the forefront of positive climate action globally. iCreate is proud to be leading the Gujarat Hydrogen Valley Consortium, which will be integral to meeting India’s commitment to reduce the Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 45 percent by 2030.”

The event saw participation from companies like Reliance Industries Limited, Welspun Enterprises Limited, Essar, Adani Group, Hypower Systems, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India; MG Motor India; State PSUs like Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, Gujarat Alkalies, and Chemicals Limited, Gujarat Energy Development Agency; City Gas distribution company Charotar Gas Sahakari Mandali Limited; and R&D institutions like CSIR – Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI), IIT Mandi.