The Indian government has announced a significant funding opportunity for organizations developing green hydrogen from biomass and other alternative feedstocks. The program, operating under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, has allocated INR 100 crore (approximately £10 million) to support pilot-scale demonstration projects across the country. The initiative focuses on biomass-based hydrogen production, as well as other innovative approaches such as wastewater utilization and floating solar integration.
Biomass pathways are a key area of focus, with projects utilizing crop residues, forestry waste, municipal solid waste, and industrial organic by-products eligible for consideration. The funding structure allows for up to INR 25 crore (approximately £2.5 million) per project, with private sector applicants able to receive support covering 80% of eligible equipment costs. Government organizations may access full equipment funding within the overall cap.
To be eligible, technologies must have reached Technology Readiness Level 5 or 6, meaning they have been validated at laboratory scale. Selected organizations will have an 18-month delivery window, with 12 months for establishing pilot facilities and six months for operational demonstration. Projects demonstrating identified end-users for the hydrogen produced will receive preferential treatment during evaluation.
The application and evaluation process involves a multi-stage assessment, with initial administrative screening followed by technical evaluation by a specialist committee. Shortlisted applicants will present to a Project Appraisal Committee, with final approval from the National Green Hydrogen Mission’s Advisory Group. Evaluation criteria emphasize innovation level, technical feasibility, scalability potential, commercial viability, production capacity, and availability of hydrogen offtakers.
The program aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 with total funding of INR 19,744 crore (approximately £2 billion). The mission aims to position India as a global center for green hydrogen production, use, and export. Government officials believe that the selected pilot projects will generate essential data on technical feasibility, safety protocols, scalability, and commercial viability, informing future policy development and supporting large-scale deployment of alternative hydrogen production methods nationwide.
For biomass-focused developers, the program represents a substantial opportunity to demonstrate conversion technologies at meaningful scale while contributing to India’s renewable energy transition and agricultural waste management objectives. The program’s focus on biomass-based hydrogen production has the potential to unlock new opportunities for the country’s agricultural sector, while also supporting the development of a low-carbon economy. Overall, the program is an important step towards achieving India’s green hydrogen goals and promoting sustainable energy production.