Empowering Green Hydrogen Futures: SECI's Call for Sustainable Innovation
Key Ideas
- SECI is inviting proposals for Green Hydrogen Hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission to enable large-scale production and utilization of green hydrogen.
- At least two hubs will be funded by 2025-26 with a budget of ₹200 crore, aiming to establish efficient hydrogen ecosystems through collaboration among various stakeholders.
- The hubs, with capacities of 100,000 metric tonnes per year, will focus on cost-competitive green hydrogen production, supporting its use, export, and developing necessary infrastructure.
- Applicants with experience in infrastructure development can submit proposals, with penalties for project delays beyond specified timelines to ensure timely completion.
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has initiated the call for proposals to establish Green Hydrogen Hubs as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These hubs are envisioned as dedicated regions that will facilitate the large-scale production and consumption of green hydrogen. The mission plans to support the development of at least two such hubs by the fiscal year 2025-26, with a substantial budget of ₹200 crore earmarked for this purpose. The SECI has set the bid submission deadline for October 7, 2024, with bids to be opened the following day and a tender fee of ₹59,000 required for participation.
Green Hydrogen Hubs are strategic areas equipped with the necessary infrastructure for the production, storage, processing, and transportation of green hydrogen. The selection of sites for these hubs is critical, with preference given to locations near existing industrial clusters like refineries and fertilizer plants. Each hub is expected to have a minimum annual capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes, emphasizing scalability for greater output. Leveraging existing infrastructure and aligning projects with the PM Gati Shakti initiative for coordinated progress are key strategies envisioned for hub development.
The primary objectives of this scheme include advancing the production of green hydrogen on a large scale, enhancing its cost competitiveness relative to fossil fuels, and fostering its usage and export potential. The infrastructure to be supported encompasses storage, transport, and distribution facilities, including pipelines, refueling stations, and upgrades to power transmission networks.
Interested applicants must demonstrate a proven track record in infrastructure development to be eligible to propose a project, with a limit of one submission per entity. Financial assistance per applicant is capped at ₹100 crore, and proposals will undergo evaluation based on predefined criteria. To ensure project completion within the stipulated timeline, penalties will be imposed for delays, with a provision for justified extensions up to six months. SECI's emphasis on timely execution underscores the commitment to realizing green hydrogen objectives efficiently.
Topics
Green Hydrogen
Renewable Energy
Energy Transition
Infrastructure Development
Government Initiative
Competitive Bidding
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