Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 29: Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, today inaugurated the Green Hydrogen Certification scheme, marking a significant step towards establishing a comprehensive framework for certifying green hydrogen production in India. The scheme aims to ensure transparency, traceability, and market credibility.
Minister Joshi underscored the government's dedication to promoting innovation-driven growth and highlighted the pivotal role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India's energy transition. He stressed that MSMEs, with their innovative capabilities and localized solutions, will form the backbone of this transformation.
Speaking at a national workshop held in New Delhi, he emphasized that MSMEs are crucial in achieving the National Green Hydrogen Mission's objectives of building a self-reliant green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030.
The workshop, designed to explore opportunities and discuss the critical role of MSMEs in developing India's green hydrogen ecosystem, attracted over 300 delegates from various stakeholder groups, including MSMEs, policymakers, technology providers, industry associations, and international partners.
Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), highlighted key accomplishments in implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission. He stressed the importance of capacity building, facilitating finance, and strengthening technology linkages to enable MSMEs to actively participate in this emerging industrial landscape. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing institutional and infrastructural support for green hydrogen, with MSMEs playing a vital role.
Panel discussions at the workshop focused on R&D collaboration models, the indigenization of components such as bipolar plates and electrolyzers, and the role of knowledge institutions.
Discussions also centered on integrating MSMEs into large-scale projects. Experts from international agencies and corporate leaders presented business models and market opportunities, advocating for systematic MSME engagement strategies.
Expert speakers showcased use cases on thermochemical and biochemical conversion of biomass to hydrogen, exploring their application in rural industries. The session highlighted the potential of decentralized models to meet local demand while promoting circular economy principles.
Financial institutions, including the World Bank, IREDA, and IIFCL, discussed de-risking strategies, blended finance mechanisms, and the need to design green credit lines accessible to MSMEs, as reported by the ministry.