The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has invited proposals to develop testing facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support to develop standards and regulatory frameworks under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Proposals are invited from government and private entities. NISE will provide the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for the project.

The last date to submit the proposal is September 14, 2024.

The main objective of the call is to develop state-of-the-art testing facilities for various components, technologies, and processes involved in the production, storage, transportation, and utilization of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

The call for proposals aims to:

• enhance testing capabilities to ensure the efficient testing of equipment and instruments across the green hydrogen value chain
• provide comprehensive quality and performance assessments within the green hydrogen ecosystem, fostering widespread knowledge and adoption
• undertake additional activities to strengthen green hydrogen testing and quality assurance infrastructure nationwide.

Government entities can avail of up to 100% funding for capital costs related to equipment, installation, and commissioning. Non-government entities can avail of up to 70% funding.

Operational expenses of up to 15% of the total financial support under the program can be allocated for operational costs, spread over up to four years from project completion.

The CFA covers capital costs related to equipment, installation, and commissioning only. It excludes other capital expenses, such as land and building infrastructure.

Grants must be exclusively utilized for the designated project and cannot be diverted for any other purpose.

Entities applying for financial assistance must submit a non-refundable processing fee of ₹5,000 (~$60).

New facilities must be commissioned within 18 months from the release of the first installment. Upgradation of existing facilities should be completed within 12 months from the release of the first installment.

An extension of up to six months may be granted based on adequate justification, as the project appraisal committee recommends.

Extensions beyond six months require approval from the Minister of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). They will incur a penalty of 1% of the financial support released by MNRE for each delay period. The delay period is calculated from the due date specified in the letter of award to the date of acceptance of the project completion report by MNRE.

The overall supervision of the program will be conducted by a Steering Committee chaired by the Secretary of MNRE, with other members appointed by MNRE.

A Project Appraisal Committee, chaired by the Mission Director of NGHM and consisting of members nominated by MNRE, will be responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating project proposals. The Committee will recommend projects for the allocating of CFA.

The Committee will regularly monitor the progress of approved projects and allocate funds accordingly. The release of CFA will be based on the Committee’s recommendations.

The Committee will recommend selected Executing Agencies (EAs) to MNRE for sanction approval. Upon receiving administrative approval from MNRE, NISE will issue the Letter of Award to the EA. The Committee will also finalize the schedule of charges for the tests conducted by testing laboratories supported under the program.

Recently, MNRE issued guidelines to implement the program on funding testing facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support to develop standards and a regulatory framework.

MNRE  had also issued guidelines for incentive disbursement for up to 450,000 metric tons per annum of green hydrogen production under Component II of the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition program.