The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has issued a call for proposals to support pilot projects on innovative green hydrogen technologies, marking another milestone in India’s transition towards clean energy. This initiative is being launched under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which was introduced by the Government of India on 4 January 2023 with a total outlay of ₹19,744 crore.

The mission is designed to establish India as a global hub for the production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. By doing so, it aims to position the country at the forefront of the global clean energy economy. The mission rests on four key pillars—Policy and Regulatory Framework, Demand Creation, Research and Development, and Enabling Infrastructure—each intended to accelerate the adoption of green hydrogen across sectors.

Green hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy with lifecycle emissions not exceeding 2 kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of hydrogen, is seen as a transformative energy vector. It offers a pathway to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries such as steel, cement, fertilisers, and refining. At present, these industries rely heavily on fossil fuels, making them significant contributors to India’s carbon footprint. By replacing fossil-based hydrogen with its green counterpart, India can reduce emissions while fostering a sustainable industrial ecosystem.

The NISE initiative specifically targets start-ups, inviting them to submit proposals for pilot projects that explore innovation in production methods, storage solutions, transport systems, and end-use applications. This focus on start-ups reflects the government’s recognition of the role entrepreneurship and technological ingenuity play in driving breakthroughs. Small, agile companies are often well-positioned to test new approaches, reduce costs, and accelerate commercialisation.

According to the mission’s framework, funding will be provided to promising pilot projects that demonstrate scalability and relevance to India’s energy needs. This creates a unique opportunity for start-ups to secure government support while contributing to the national vision of energy independence. Beyond financial support, the projects are expected to serve as testing grounds for new ideas, bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world deployment.

Officials have emphasised that this call for proposals is not just about experimentation but about building a robust pipeline of commercially viable technologies. These pilot projects will also play a role in job creation, capacity building, and the development of ancillary industries such as electrolyser manufacturing and hydrogen logistics.

Through this initiative, the National Green Hydrogen Mission reaffirms its long-term goal: making India a self-reliant leader in green hydrogen while catalysing global collaborations. If successful, these start-up-led pilot projects could unlock scalable solutions, turning India’s hydrogen potential into a cornerstone of its clean energy future.

Source:

https://solarquarter.com/2025/09/16/national-institute-of-solar-energy-invites-start-ups-to-pioneer-green-hydrogen-pilot-projects-under-national-mission/