In a significant auction organized by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), several prominent companies have emerged as winners, securing contracts to establish a substantial electrolyzer manufacturing capacity of 1.5 GW across the country.
This auction is a key component of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s Tranche II under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program. The bidding event, which took place in March, was segmented into three distinct categories, each with its own set of requirements and capacity allocations.
Bucket 2B was designed for smaller units with a capacity requirement of 100 MW and stipulated the use of domestically developed stack technology. In this category, the winning bidders included Adani Enterprises, Eastern Electrolyser, Newtrace, and Suryaashish KA1 Solar Park (InSolare).
Adani Enterprises, Eastern Electrolyser, and Newtrace each secured an allocation of 30 MW, while Suryaashish KA1 Solar Park was awarded 10 MW. The total bids for Bucket 2B aggregated to 270 MW. Bucket 2A, which required a 300 MW capacity and also mandated the use of indigenously developed stack technology, saw Adani Enterprises and Newage Green Electro as the successful bidders.
Adani Enterprises received an allocation of 71.5 MW, while Newage Green Electro was granted a significantly larger share of 228 MW. The total bids submitted for Bucket 2A amounted to 511.5 MW. Bucket 1, the largest category, offered a substantial 1,100 MW with no specific restrictions on stack technology.
The winners in this bucket included Waaree Energies, Matrix Gas and Renewables, Advait Infratech, Ohmium Operations, GH2 Solar, Newage Green Electro, and Avaada Electrolyser. Waaree Energies emerged with the largest share, securing 300 MW. Matrix Gas and Renewables followed with 237 MW, Advait Infratech was awarded 200 MW, and Ohmium Operations received 137 MW.
GH2 Solar was allocated 105 MW, while Newage Green Electro and Avaada Electrolyser were assigned 71.5 MW and 49.5 MW, respectively. The total bids for Bucket 1 totaled an impressive 1980.5 MW. The electrolyzers procured through this initiative must meet rigorous performance standards, including a guaranteed operational life of at least 60,000 hours and an end-of-life efficiency of no less than 80%.
Additionally, they should have a hydrogen consumption rate not exceeding 56 kWh per kilogram. The local value addition requirements for alkaline electrolyzers range between 40% and 80% over a five-year period, whereas other technologies are expected to achieve local value additions between 30% and 70%.
The manufacturers who have been awarded these contracts are required to complete the establishment of their electrolyzer production facilities within a span of 30 months. Upon successful commissioning, they will be entitled to receive quarterly financial incentives for a duration of five years. This incentive program is designed to support and encourage the ongoing development and operational efficiency of their facilities over the specified period.
