MNRE invites proposals to set up R&D facilities for green hydrogen

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a call for proposals to establish Centers of Excellence (CoEs) under the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s (NGHM) Research and Development (R&D) programme, with a deadline of December 19, 2024. 

Selected entities will receive financial support covering up to 50 per cent of project costs, aimed at advancing green hydrogen production, storage, and utilisation. The CoEs will facilitate research, skill development, and industry collaboration to foster a green hydrogen ecosystem, serving as hubs for scaling technologies at advanced development stages.

Eligible applicants include academic institutions, R&D centres, government bodies, public sector undertakings, private research institutions, and industries. Intellectual property generated will remain with the grantee institutions as per R&D provisions. 

Launched in 2023 with a budget of Rs 197.44 billion, NGHM has allocated Rs 4 billion specifically for research initiatives.

Additionally, in October 2024, MNRE approved three pilot projects to integrate hydrogen in steel production with financial support of Rs 3.47 billion, expected to be operational within three years.