The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has released the results of its Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, awarding a total annual production capacity of 450,000 metric tonnes (MT) of green hydrogen across various companies.
This initiative forms part of India’s broader strategy to bolster green hydrogen production, enhance cost competitiveness, and accelerate market expansion. Key players in the awarded contracts include AM Green Ammonia India, Waaree Clean Energy Solutions, Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms, and L&T Energy Green Tech, each securing 90,000 MT. Reliance Green Hydrogen and Green Chemicals, a significant player, secured 49,000 MT, while Suryadeep KA1 Project and several smaller entities were also successful in their bids.
SECI’s programme stipulates stringent requirements for bidders, including a minimum bid capacity and allowed flexibility in project location—a flexibility intended to spur innovation but possibly complicating regulatory compliance and coordination. Companies must provide SECI with quarterly progress reports, maintaining transparency and accountability, yet this can add bureaucratic layers that may slow down rapid deployment. The challenge is high, given that global green hydrogen technology must evolve rapidly to handle the scale and efficiency demanded by such large projects.
Despite these challenges, the SIGHT programme represents a strategic step forward for India in the global green hydrogen market. As the world’s third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, India’s transition to cleaner energy forms is critical for both national and global climate initiatives. While uncertainties remain around the rate of technological advancement and infrastructure development, the incentives offered—such as the Rs 22.39 billion allocated—aim to mitigate financial barriers and stimulate industrial participation.
The auction results illuminate a crossroads for India’s energy policy. The potential for green hydrogen to decarbonize industrial processes and heavy transportation is significant, but so is the risk of project delays and financial setbacks if infrastructure can’t support swift operationalization. While SECI’s efforts are pivotal, they must be complemented by parallel advancements in renewable energy uptake and grid infrastructure enhancements to effectively integrate green hydrogen into the national energy matrix.
