The National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has issued an expression of interest (EoI) for defining the scope and drafting the tender terms and conditions for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of its green hydrogen generation, storage, and refueling facility at the NISE Hydrogen Facility in Gurugram, Haryana.

Bids must be submitted by July 9, 2025.

The tender is for assisting NISE in formulating a comprehensive and technically sound tender for selecting a future O&M service provider for the solar-powered green hydrogen generation, storage, and refueling facility.

The scope of work entails proposing detailed inputs for a suitable O&M model, such as public-private partnerships, third-party O&M contracts, or performance-linked payment mechanisms, while advising on the cost structure, risk-sharing mechanisms, performance incentives, and eligibility criteria.

The O&M of all subsystems, including electrolyzers, compressors, storage, dispensers, and the solar installation is covered under the scope.

The project involves a green hydrogen facility with a production capacity of 15 normal cubic meters per hour (Nm³/hr) (approximately 1.35 kg/hr) and hydrogen storage of 60 kg at 495 bar. This facility is powered by a dedicated 120 kWp rooftop solar system. The technology employed includes 5 Nm³/hr and 10 Nm³/hr alkaline electrolyzers, a 350 bar hydrogen dispenser, a Type-1 cylinder hydrogen storage, and a high-pressure compressor.

Bidders must provide a cost structure based on their proposed model, including fixed and variable O&M costs. The cost structure must include a breakdown of expenses such as manpower, consumables, spares, utilities, and overheads.

Bidders must have completed operation and maintenance contracts for hydrogen generation systems, hydrogen storage systems, electrolyzer plants, or equivalent gas-based energy systems. Experience in operating and maintaining electrolyzer plants is desirable but not mandatory.

Last year, NISE invited proposals to develop testing facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support to develop standards and regulatory frameworks under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

In April this year, the Government of India introduced the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India, a critical component of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, according to which hydrogen can be officially recognized as “green” only if its non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions do not exceed 2 kg of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e)/kg of hydrogen, averaged over 12 months.