The Uttar Pradesh government has approved the establishment of two Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for green hydrogen research at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Technology–Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), marking a significant step in the state’s clean energy transition.
The centres will focus on applied and experimental research across the green hydrogen value chain, including production, storage, transportation, and utilisation. The initiative is aligned with Uttar Pradesh’s Green Hydrogen Policy 2024, which aims to position the state as a major hub for green hydrogen manufacturing and development.
Under the approved framework, the first CoE will be jointly set up by IIT Kanpur and Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), while the second will be established by IIT-BHU in partnership with the Mahila Vishwavidyalaya of Technology (MMUT), Gorakhpur. Both centres will operate as joint facilities across the campuses of their partner institutions, pooling academic leadership, research infrastructure, and equipment.
The state government will provide support covering at least 50% of the research infrastructure and equipment costs. The remaining funding will be arranged through partner institutions and collaborative projects. The framework allows for joint supervision of research initiatives, including PhD programmes, and faculty members from partner institutions may serve as co-guides.
The CoEs will also function as nodal technical bodies, supporting government departments, industries, startups, and academic institutions in implementing green hydrogen projects. Their mandate includes providing technical advisory inputs and assisting in policy formulation to facilitate sectoral growth.
Officials highlighted that the initiative does not involve additional infrastructure funding beyond the approved provisions, and the centres are expected to operate within the sanctioned financial framework.
The move supports Uttar Pradesh’s target of meeting at least 50% of its green hydrogen consumption through local production. The state also aims to attract private investment, with proposals under consideration for setting up hydrogen-based transport corridors and encouraging industries to establish hydrogen production plants.
Green hydrogen is expected to play a critical role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, petroleum refining, manufacturing, ammonia production, and heavy-duty mobility. The government believes that the establishment of these Centres of Excellence will strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s position as a strategic hub for green hydrogen research, manufacturing, and deployment.
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