Pralhad Joshi announces Rs 100 Crore initiative for biomass-based green hydrogen pilots

Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi Announced a new initiative under which his Ministry will invite proposals for pilot projects using biomass and waste materials to produce green hydrogen. A total of ₹100 crore has been allocated for these pilots, in addition to ₹100 crore already sanctioned for start-ups under the Mission. The scheme will be implemented through BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) to encourage participation from industries, start-ups, and research institutions.

The Minister said the initiative would strengthen the innovation ecosystem and demonstrate new, cost-effective technologies capable of accelerating India’s hydrogen transition. He was addressing the inaugural session of the 3rd International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH 2025) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, reaffirming India’s global leadership in clean-energy transition.

He said that the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is accelerating India’s clean energy shift and creating jobs, attracting investments, and positioning India as a global hub for green hydrogen.

The Minister said the NGHM, launched in 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, is not only a national programme but a global solution to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.

Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)

Highlighting rapid progress under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, the Minister informed that incentives have been awarded for 3,000 MW per annum of domestic electrolyser manufacturing and 8.62 lakh metric tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production. India now records the world’s lowest green ammonia price at ₹49.75 per kg for 7.24 lakh MTPA production.

Strengthening Skills, Standards & Global Competitiveness

The Minister highlighted that India is working to power its entire green hydrogen production through renewable energy. He also mentioned that 43 hydrogen-related skill qualifications have been approved, more than 6,300 trainees have been certified, and robust frameworks such as the Green Hydrogen Standard (2023) and Certification Scheme (2025) are in place along with 128 technical standards.

The minister also revealed that he had a constructive interaction with Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, on strengthening cooperation in green hydrogen. The two discussed opportunities for collaboration, accelerating the global green hydrogen ecosystem and expanding technology exchange between India and Europe.