MNRE clarifies ALMM exemption for early SIGHT green hydrogen bids

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an Office Memorandum clarifying the applicability of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for projects under its Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme.

The memorandum, dated December 19, 2025, responds to industry representations seeking clarity on procurement requirements for renewable power projects dedicated to green hydrogen and green ammonia production under SIGHT Mode 2A and Mode 2B.

The ministry has set a clear-cut off date for exemption from ALMM List II. For projects under SIGHT Mode 2A and Mode 2B, if the last date of bid submission was on or before August 31, 2025, renewable power projects set up exclusively to supply power to these facilities will be exempt from the requirement to use solar photovoltaic cells listed under ALMM List II. The exemption applies only to the renewable power capacity linked to the allocation under SIGHT Mode 2A or Mode 2B and remains valid irrespective of the project commissioning date.

The SIGHT Programme is a key component of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. Mode 2A covers competitive bidding for green hydrogen and green ammonia production, while Mode 2B relates to procurement by designated agencies, including oil marketing companies.

ALMM mandates that government-supported solar projects source photovoltaic cells and modules from manufacturers approved by the MNRE. List II applies specifically to solar photovoltaic cells. The exemption eases domestic sourcing requirements for the renewable energy component of eligible green hydrogen and green ammonia projects.

The memorandum also clarifies that earlier ALMM exemptions remain unchanged. Provisions under the Office Memorandum dated May 27, 2024, which provided conditional ALMM exemptions, will continue to apply.

The MNRE has stated that ALMM relaxations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Eligible developers are required to submit a formal request to the ministry for assessment.

The clarification affects projects bid under SIGHT Mode 2A through the Solar Energy Corporation of India, where the final bid submission date was July 14, 2025, and tenders issued by oil marketing companies under Mode 2B with submission deadlines on or before August 31, 2025. The move is expected to reduce near-term procurement challenges for early green hydrogen projects.

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