The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) is working to position Kerala as a major participant in India’s emerging green hydrogen ecosystem. Backed by the State’s 2040 renewable energy transition goal and 2050 carbon neutrality target, ANERT’s initiatives are designed to create an enabling environment for clean energy investments and technology development.

The Kerala Green Hydrogen Policy, currently under Cabinet consideration and expected to be released by the end of FY 2025–26, presents a comprehensive strategy that integrates policy enablers, capacity-building programmes and pilot projects. According to Harshil R. Meena, CEO of ANERT, the policy targets a 30 per cent reduction in green hydrogen production costs by 2030 through demand creation, open access reforms and targeted incentives.

Among the proposed measures is a 25 per cent capital expenditure support for the first 100 MW of electrolysers, capped at ₹1.5 crore per MW for eligible projects of 50 MW and above. ANERT has also earmarked ₹50 crore for establishing Kerala’s first Green Hydrogen Hub entity, aimed at anchoring early-stage investments and partnerships in the sector.

A total of ₹133 crore has been allocated to the Kerala Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (K-HVIC), a multi-pilot programme covering production, storage, transport and end-use applications. Of this, ₹53 crore is supported by the Department of Science & Technology, with the remainder funded by industry partners. In parallel, a ₹34.84 crore mobility project, supported by the Automotive Research Association of India, will see the deployment of four hydrogen vehicles and two refuelling stations.

To strengthen ecosystem development, ANERT has announced ₹200 crore for viability gap funding, grants and equity participation to anchor hydrogen hubs in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. An additional ₹300 crore has been earmarked for aggregating land parcels along the West Coast Canal corridor through public-private partnership models.

Kerala’s green hydrogen roadmap focuses on both domestic and export opportunities. The State plans to replace imported diesel, LPG and grey industrial hydrogen with locally produced green hydrogen, supported by solar, pumped hydro and marine energy resources. Simultaneously, Kerala’s port infrastructure positions it to export green ammonia and hydrogen derivatives to international markets.

Source: 

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/anert-to-make-kerala-a-key-player-in-green-hydrogen-economy/article70130279.ece