The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) held a national workshop in New Delhi focused on exploring the role of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India’s emerging green hydrogen sector. The event brought together over 300 participants, including business leaders, government officials, researchers, and international representatives.
In his opening address, Union Minister Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi introduced the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme. He underlined the government’s focus on technology-driven growth and emphasized the importance of MSMEs in supporting India’s transition to cleaner energy. Minister Joshi noted that MSMEs are well-positioned to offer localized, cost-effective solutions, which will be critical to achieving the goals of the Green Hydrogen Mission by 2030.
MNRE Secretary Santosh Kumar Sarangi outlined key milestones achieved under the National Green Hydrogen Mission so far. He stressed the need for capacity building, improved access to financing, and stronger links between industry and research institutions to enable MSMEs to actively contribute to the hydrogen economy.
Experts at the workshop shared insights on integrating MSMEs into large-scale projects. International partners and corporate leaders discussed various business models, market opportunities, and strategies for more structured involvement of small and medium enterprises.
Speakers showcased case studies on converting biomass into hydrogen using thermal and biological methods. These decentralized approaches were highlighted as particularly suitable for rural areas, where they could help meet local energy demand while supporting sustainable practices.
Representatives from financial organizations, including the World Bank, IREDA, KfW, and IIFCL, discussed tools to reduce investment risks and proposed blended finance solutions. They emphasized the need for green credit lines tailored to the needs of MSMEs.
The workshop reinforced the importance of MSMEs in building a robust green hydrogen ecosystem. Many MSMEs showed strong interest in areas like component manufacturing, system maintenance, and rural hydrogen generation. Participants called for standardized practices, shared infrastructure for joint innovation, and the creation of Green Hydrogen Clusters to help small businesses scale up and collaborate more efficiently.
Clear market signals, consistent policies, and targeted investments were identified as key enablers for private sector involvement. India was also recognized as having strong potential to become a major manufacturing center for green hydrogen equipment, such as electrolysers and fuel cells.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission envisions positioning India as a leading global hub for the production, utilization, and export of green hydrogen and its related products. Central to this initiative is the development of a robust domestic green hydrogen industry that supports clean energy goals, enhances energy security, and reduces environmental impact. By 2030, the mission aims to establish a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million metric tonnes annually, supported by the addition of approximately 125 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
To realize this vision, the mission is expected to drive investments exceeding ₹8 lakh crore, create over 6 lakh employment opportunities, and significantly reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels—saving more than ₹1 lakh crore in imports. Additionally, the initiative is projected to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 million metric tonnes, contributing meaningfully to India’s climate goals and sustainable development agenda.
