New Delhi: Gujarat has kicked-off the much-anticipated Hydrogen Valley Project in the state which aims to develop a localised hydrogen value chain where it can serve more than one end-sector or application in mobility, industry, and energy.
The Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster in Gujarat will be a part of India’s efforts to develop clean Hydrogen Valleys by 2030.
The first stakeholder’s consultation meeting was held in Ahmedabad on 21 April 2023. The meeting was organized by iCreate – innovation-based start-up incubator – in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
In the meeting representatives from stakeholders such as the Department of Science and Technology – Government of India, government of Gujarat, industry partners, financial institutions, academia, and innovators explored aspects of policy and framework along with partnerships to further R&D in hydrogen technologies.
According to the official press release, the project will promote research on novel hydrogen technologies while building capacity and capability for its production, distribution, and use cases in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Ranjith Krishna Pai, scientist and director, Climate Change & Clean Energy Division, DST-GoI, presented the guidelines for setting up Hydrogen Valley Innovation clusters.
“We are proud to be leading the Gujarat Hydrogen Valley Consortium, which will be integral to meeting India’s commitment to reduce the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent by 2030. We are confident that working together with a common synergy will lead to the creation of a unique and supremely successful Hydrogen Valley Project model to be implemented across India,” said Avinash Punekar, CEO of, iCreate.
The event saw participation from companies such as Reliance Industries, Welspun, Essar, Adani Group, Hypower Systems, ArcerlorMittal Nippon Steel India; MG Motor India; State PSUs like Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited, Gujarat Alkalies, and Chemicals Limited, Gujarat Energy Development Agency; City Gas distribution company Charotar Gas Sahakari Mandali Limited; and R&D institutions like CSIR – Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI), IIT Mandi.
“We believe that with breakthrough innovations and widespread adoption, we can unlock cost-competitiveness and achieve a successful model for the Hydrogen Valley Innovation clusters across India,” said Pai.
The release added that a reduction in hydrogen production costs can be achieved through the identification of technology innovations coupled with their widespread adoption to ensure commercial viability and competitive end-use applications.
It further said that regular and active consultation meetings have been planned to evaluate and leverage opportunities, while taking advantage of common strengths.
“The Department of Science and Technologies has invited organizations and industry players to make alliances that work in the direction of establishing Hydrogen Valley Innovation clusters across India,” it said.
The outcome of the meeting would be the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department of Science and Technology for the Preparation of a Detailed Project Report for setting up the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster in Gujarat.
Through regular stakeholder consultations and strategic alliances, Gujarat aims to leverage common strengths to establish a cost-effective and timely hydrogen ecosystem, said Sandip J Sagale, IAS, Industries Commissioner, government of Gujarat.
