The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has declared the results of its auction to select green hydrogen producers to set up production facilities for green hydrogen in India under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Program (Mode-1-Tranche-II).

SECI awarded a total annual production capacity of 450,000 MT for a maximum allocated incentive of ₹22.39 billion (~$258.84 million).

Under Bucket 1, a total of 448,500 metric tons (MT) were awarded to Oriana Power, Suryadeep KA1 Project (InSolare), L&T Energy Green, GH2 Solar, Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms (Sembcorp), Waaree Clean Energy Solutions, AM Green Ammonia, Reliance Green Hydrogen and Green Chemicals for a total allocated incentive of ₹22.21 billion (~$256.74 million).

Matrix Gas and Renewables was the sole winner under Bucket 2, bagging 1,500 MT for an allocated incentive of ₹178.5 million (~$2.06 million).

To maximize the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives, improve cost competitiveness, and promote large-scale utilization, bidders could choose between technology-agnostic pathways (Bucket 1) or biomass-based pathways (Bucket 2).

The tender was floated in July last year.

The selected bidders must establish production facilities for green hydrogen and its derivatives. The main goals are to facilitate rapid expansion, advance technology, and reduce production costs of green hydrogen and its derivatives in India.

The green hydrogen production facilities will have 36 months from the date of issuance of the letter of award to commission the full production capacity.

Bidders were allowed to submit a single bid undertaking to set up the green hydrogen production facilities. The projects could quote in multiples of 500 MT/annum only. The quoted capacity should remain constant over the first three years from the start of commercial production in thousand metric tons.

The minimum bid capacity for technology-agnostic pathways was 10,000 MT per annum, and the maximum was 90,000 MT per annum. The minimum bid capacity for biomass-based pathways was 500 MT per annum, and the maximum was 4,000 MT per annum.

The successful bidders can choose the location of the projects at their discretion, cost, risk, and responsibility. They are also free to change the project location during the execution of the project or construction period.

Producers must submit a quarterly progress report to SECI detailing the project progress and providing reasons for any delays, if applicable.

Reliance Green Hydrogen and Green Chemicals, ACME Cleantech Solutions, Greenko ZeroC, HHP Two (Hygenco), Bharat Petroleum Corporation, Welspun New Energy, Torrent Power, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation, UPL, and JSW Neo Energy were among the winners of SECI’s Mode-I, Tranche-I auction.