Page 42 - Policy Economic Report - September 2025

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

The review meeting organised by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy featured a state-wise
assessment of PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM, with states presenting their progress and
challenges. Industry associations made detailed presentations on current issues in the renewable energy
sector. There were also stakeholder consultations on the design and implementation of PM-KUSUM 2.0.
These deliberations aimed at aligning state action, industry inputs, and policy reforms to accelerate
renewable energy deployment across the country. The meeting brought together representatives from
renewable energy-rich states to review progress and chart the future roadmap for India’s clean energy
transition.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated 1st Green Hydrogen R&D Conference; launches ?100 crore
Call for Proposals for Start-ups

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the 1st Annual Green
Hydrogen R&D Conference organised by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in New Delhi and
launched a new ?100 crore Call for Proposals to support start-ups in hydrogen innovation. The scheme
will provide up to ?5 crore per project for pilot projects in innovative hydrogen production, storage,
transport and utilisation technologies. At the conference, 25 start-ups are showcasing their innovations,
ranging from electrolyser manufacturing to AI-driven optimisation and biological hydrogen solutions.

Addressing researchers, start-ups, industry leaders and policymakers, Shri Joshi emphasised that the
conference is not just about sharing ideas but about turning research into practical solutions that can
power industries, clean cities, and create lakhs of new jobs across India. He underscored the vision of
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, who launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) in 2023,
to transform India’s energy landscape and make the country a global hub for green hydrogen. With an
outlay of ?19,744 crore, the Mission rests on four pillars – Policy and Regulatory Framework, Demand
Creation, R&D and Innovation, and Enabling Infrastructure.

R&D Progress Under NGHM

Highlighting progress in research and development, the Minister said that the dedicated R&D Scheme
under NGHM, has already awarded 23 projects in the first round of Call for Proposals. These cover key
areas such as Safety and Integration, Hydrogen Production from Biomass, Hydrogen Applications, and
Non-Biomass Hydrogen Production routes. Leading IITs, IISERs, CSIR labs and industry partners are
implementing these projects. The second round of R&D proposals, launched on 14 July 2025, remains
open till 15 September 2025. Internationally too, collaboration is expanding under the EU-India Trade and
Technology Council, with over 30 joint proposals received on hydrogen production from waste.

Building a Green Hydrogen Ecosystem: From Vision to Action

Shri Joshi stressed that green hydrogen ecosystem in India is already moving from vision to action. India’s
first port-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project has been launched at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil
Nadu. In the steel sector, five pilot projects are demonstrating hydrogen-based decarbonisation. In
shipping, vessels are being retrofitted and refuelling facilities are being developed at Tuticorin Port. In
transport, hydrogen buses and refuelling stations are already operational. In fertilisers, India conducted

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