SECI Cancels Green Hydrogen Hub Tender, Pauses Momentum on Flagship Mission

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has officially withdrawn its call for proposals to establish large-scale green hydrogen hubs, a key initiative under the country’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. The cancellation, announced on July 4, effectively halts a project that aimed to catalyse the growth of India’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The original tender, launched on August 20, 2024, proposed a budget of INR 2 billion (approximately USD 23.3 million) to support the development of at least two hydrogen hubs. Each hub was expected to produce a minimum of 100,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Achieving this output would have required the deployment of several hundred megawatts of electrolyser capacity, in combination with dedicated renewable energy supply — a challenge given the current state of India’s green hydrogen infrastructure.

SECI has directed all participating bidders to submit requests for reimbursement of tender-related fees. Applicants must provide relevant documents and bank details within 15 days from the date of the cancellation notice. The green hydrogen hub initiative was seen as a cornerstone of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023 with a total budget allocation of INR 19,744 crore (USD 2.3 billion). Of this, INR 17,490 crore was earmarked for the SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition) programme, with a further INR 1,466 crore set aside for pilot projects and research and development.