The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT), an autonomous institution under the Government of Kerala’s Department of Power, has announced a new initiative aimed at advancing green energy development in the state. The agency has invited Expressions of Interest for pilot projects that will focus on producing green hydrogen from biomass. This step is part of Kerala’s broader climate and sustainability goals and follows ANERT’s nomination as the State Nodal Agency for the Kerala Green Hydrogen Mission. Through this initiative, the state aims to promote early adoption of clean hydrogen technologies that can support future industrial and environmental needs.
The objective of the EOI is to identify project proposals that are innovative, technically reliable, and capable of being scaled up in the future. ANERT is specifically looking for proposals that utilize biomass as the main input to produce green hydrogen. The projects must be located in Kerala and should demonstrate technology that has reached a Technology Readiness Level of 5 or 6. This means the proposed systems must have completed key validation steps and should be ready for real-world pilot operations. Early-stage ideas or proof-of-concept studies will not qualify, as the focus is on technologies that are closer to implementation and can show measurable progress within a short time frame.
The pilot projects will be supported through a total funding pool of INR 30 crores. Of this amount, INR 25 crores will come from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, and INR 5 crores will be provided by ANERT. ANERT’s funding is intended to support operational expenses for the plants, but there is a cap of either 20 percent of the project cost or INR 5 crores, whichever is lower. Successful applicants will be responsible for designing, developing, and operating the pilot plant for a minimum period of five years. They must also commission the facility within 12 months from the date of receiving the Letter of Award, ensuring timely progress and accountability.
Important dates for applicants have also been announced. The notification for the EOI was issued on January 9, 2026, and the last date for submission is January 23, 2026. All proposals must be prepared as a single PDF and submitted via email to gh2cell@anert.in
before the deadline. There is no requirement for an Earnest Money Deposit for this EOI, but applicants participating in the broader biomass-to-hydrogen funding program must submit a Performance Bank Guarantee equal to 20 percent of the sanctioned grant.
Once selected, project developers will be required to submit progress reports every two months during the trial phase and monthly updates after the trial period. ANERT will give preference to proposals that include clear offtake arrangements for the hydrogen produced. This ensures that the output has a defined market, helping the state take a significant step toward building a viable green hydrogen ecosystem using locally available biomass resources.
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