MNRE Launches Green Hydrogen Certification Program
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi launched India’s Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme (GHCI) on April 29, 2025, marking a key step toward establishing a transparent and credible framework for certifying green hydrogen production.
April 30, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
He mentioned that the scheme is a foundational step towards creating a robust framework for certifying green hydrogen production and ensuring transparency, traceability, and market credibility.
The workshop was aimed to explore opportunities and discuss key role of MSMEs in development of green hydrogen ecosystem in India.
During the inaugural address, Joshi highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering innovation-led growth and emphasised that MSMEs will serve as the backbone of India's energy transition through their innovative capabilities and localised solutions. He highlighted the critical role MSMEs will play in realising the Mission’s objectives of building a self-reliant green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030.
Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE highlighted some key achievements in the implementation of National Green Hydrogen Mission. He stressed upon the importance of building capacities, facilitating finance, and strengthening technology linkages to empower MSMEs to meaningfully participate in this new industrial landscape. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to building institutional and infrastructural support for green hydrogen, with MSMEs playing a critical role.
The draft of the GHCI was released in September last year. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) will serve as the nodal authority, overseeing the implementation and monitoring of the certification process. A Technical Committee, chaired by the Mission Director of NGHM, will provide strategic guidance and oversight. Accredited Carbon Verification (ACV) agencies will be responsible for validating and verifying projects.
As for the scope of certification, the GHCI shall operate at the project level of Green Hydrogen production, encompassing all stages up to the compression and purification of hydrogen for transport. However, processes such as transport and storage of hydrogen outside plant boundaries, conversion into hydrogen carriers, reconversions, and utilisation are excluded from the certification scope.
Green hydrogen can be produced through two eligible pathways: electrolysis and biomass conversion. Each Green Hydrogen Production Facility shall be designed, installed and operated in an appropriate way, so as to ensure the compliance is achieved in practice and on continual basis.
GHCI specifies stringent monitoring requirements, including the development of a monitoring plan detailing project boundaries, data collection methods, and emission sources. ACV agencies will verify the GHG emissions data submitted by producers, and BEE will issue certificates based on compliance.
The scheme will issue two types of Certificates – Concept Certificates for design compliance and Facility-Level Certificates for operational compliance. Facility-level certificate is mandatory for Green Hydrogen production facilities to apply for a provisional or final certificate.
Provisional and final certificates will be available to verify ongoing and completed production, respectively. While Provisional certificate reports that the hydrogen produced during the specified period is green as per GHCI based on the data provided by the Green Hydrogen producer, the final certificate guarantees that the hydrogen produced during the specified evaluation cycle is Green as per GHCI.
Further, MNRE or its designated agency may conduct random audit any during or after the financial year. Penalties will be imposed for non-compliance with certification requirements, including discrepancies in reported emissions or production quantities. Repeated violations may result in suspension from the certification scheme.
Gaurav Moda, Partner and Energy Sector Leader, EY-Parthenon India said, "The launch of the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme marks a pivotal moment in India’s clean energy transition. By establishing a transparent and credible framework for certifying green hydrogen, the government is laying the foundation for a robust domestic ecosystem and a globally competitive export market. This move not only strengthens investor confidence but also empowers Indian industry especially MSMEs—to lead in the global green hydrogen economy. As the certification integrates with the upcoming carbon market, we foresee green hydrogen emerging as a key lever in driving industrial decarbonisation, green jobs, and sustainable growth over the next decade."
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
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