Hydrogen Innovation Mission to India 2025

Why Green Hydrogen and why India?

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency and the Netherlands Innovation Network are organizing an innovation mission to India’s hydrogen hubs. The Hydrogen Innovation Mission to India 2025 aims to strengthen research & innovation collaboration between the Netherlands and India across the entire hydrogen value chain. By aligning the National Technology Strategy (NTS) of the Netherlands with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), the mission will facilitate joint R&D, pilot projects, and policy dialogues, targeting key areas in hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and end-use applications.

As the world moves towards a clean energy future, green hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of decarbonization. India, with its ambitious National Green Hydrogen Mission, aims to become a global hub for green hydrogen innovation by focusing on production, utilization, and export. The Netherlands, with its advanced hydrogen technology, robust R&D ecosystem, and strategic initiatives like the National Technology Strategy and the National Hydrogen Programme is uniquely-positioned to collaborate with India in scaling up the hydrogen economy.  The NTS forms a strong foundation for excelling in hydrogen through improved value chains, by focusing on innovation projects for electrolyzers, materials for hydrogen storage, transport and hydrogen carriers which are necessary to facilitate international hydrogen trade flows. 

This innovation mission will provide a platform for Dutch and Indian stakeholders to build partnerships, share knowledge, and explore joint R&D opportunities.

For whom?

This mission is for researchers, innovators, R&D managers, and decision-makers from companies (including SME’s, universities, and knowledge institutions who are active in the hydrogen sector.

Why participate?

By joining this mission, you will:

• gain firsthand insights into India’s hydrogen ecosystem and its opportunities;
• build valuable connections with policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders;
• take a front-row seat in shaping joint R&D initiatives and scalable solutions;
• secure a first-mover advantage in one of the world’s largest emerging hydrogen markets.

The focus areas of this mission

• Enhancing R&D collaboration – strengthen partnerships between Dutch universities, research institutes, and Indian counterparts in hydrogen technologies.
• Explore possibilities of joint research calls at bilateral and multilateral levels using instruments such as Global Stars, Horizon Europe (via Mission Innovation) etc.
• Accelerating innovation in electrolyzer technologies – explore advanced materials, coatings, and efficiency improvements in alkaline, PEM, and solid oxide electrolyzers.
• Developing sustainable hydrogen production pathways – support innovation in green hydrogen, biohydrogen, and waste-to-hydrogen technologies in line with India’s Bio-E3 policy.
• Optimizing hydrogen storage & distribution – Joint research on compressed hydrogen, LOHC, metal hydrides, and cryogenic storage, integrating Dutch expertise in material science and process engineering.
• Industrial decarbonization & mobility – Engage with Indian heavy industries (steel, cement, refining) and mobility sectors (hydrogen buses, trucks, rail and HRS (Hydrogen Refueling Stations)) to pilot hydrogen-based applications.
• Policy & Regulatory Alignment – Facilitate discussions with Indian ministries such as Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Department of Science and Technologies , and state energy agencies such as Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) Kerala Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA, Gujarat), to enable smoother international partnerships and market access.

Program highlights

In determining the definitive program the organization will take into account the specific wishes of the delegation as much as possible. The program will include:

• Networking events: receptions and matchmaking sessions with key Indian and Dutch stakeholders. Pitching opportunities will be included.
• Workshops and seminars: Joint sessions on R&D, innovation, and regulatory frameworks for hydrogen technologies.
• Field visits: visits to hydrogen valleys, industrial hubs, and R&D facilities across Kochi, Pune, and Gujarat.
• Policy engagements: discussions with Indian ministries and regulatory bodies on policy alignment and collaborative frameworks.

Travel plan

The delegation will visit 3 regions which are of importance in India’s hydrogen landscape:

• New Delhi: We will visit New Delhi, the administrative capital of India, for high-level engagements with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Department of Science and Technology (DST), and other key policymakers to understand India’s hydrogen strategies and explore collaborative frameworks. We will visit one of India’s leading Hydrogen conferences and be welcomed for a Hydrogen reception by the Ambassador of the Netherlands.
• Kerala: We will visit the Kochi Hydrogen Valley, one of India’s leading hydrogen hubs, which is making strides in renewable hydrogen production and policy implementation by integrating industry, academia and government policies.
• Gujarat: We will explore Gujarat’s cutting-edge hydrogen initiatives, including site visits to large industry players, the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) and the Gujarat Energy Development Agency.

Costs

The costs for participation in the innovation mission are € 250 (excluding VAT) per person. This participation fee includes the program, transfers to program components as well as some program lunches and dinners (when not described as borne by the participant). Travel and accommodation (hotels and flights) and individual costs such as lunches and dinners outside the program are not included in the participation fee.

Registration

Do you want to participate in this innovation mission? Please register before Thursday 5 June via the registration form.

Definitive participation depends on the amount of available spots. We carefully consider if and how well your technology and expertise fit within the scope and goal of this mission. Participation in this mission will be decided by the organizing team. Potential participants will be approached for a (digital) meeting to ensure alignment with the goals of this mission and to ensure that the wishes of each participant are taken into consideration.

Want to know more?

For questions related to the mission’s content, please contact: 

• Arun Thekkedath, Senior Policy Advisor – Science, Innovation & Research (NIN – India): arun.thekkedath@minbuza.nl  
• Pieter Houttuin, Coordinator Hydrogen Innovation Missions + Advisor International Innovation & National Contact Point Horizon Europe (Hydrogen): pieter.houttuin@rvo.nl 
• Tong Jiang, Coordinator Innovation missions - RVO: tong.jiang@rvo.nl