Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is intensifying its push to establish the state as a technology leader in green hydrogen, unveiling an action plan focused on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship under its Green Hydrogen Policy. The plan, announced on Monday, aims to position UP as a hub for green energy technologies, reduce production costs, and contribute significantly to India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070.

Centres of Excellence to Drive Research and Innovation

A cornerstone of this initiative is the establishment of two Centres of Excellence (CoEs) dedicated to green hydrogen technologies. These centres will focus on cost-effective and indigenous solutions for the production, storage, transportation, and utilization of green hydrogen, with an emphasis on minimizing operational costs.

The CoEs will be set up in collaboration with reputed academic institutions, ensuring that research is industry-orientedand aligned with sectoral requirements. Each centre will receive up to ₹50 crore in 100 percent financial assistancefrom the state government to develop high-end research infrastructure, including advanced laboratories, testing facilities, and other essential equipment.

By bringing together academia, industry, and startups, the government aims to foster innovation, nurture cutting-edge technologies, and accelerate the development of scalable green hydrogen solutions.

Promoting Startups and Entrepreneurship

In addition to the CoEs, the Uttar Pradesh government will provide financial support to startups in the green hydrogen sector for a period of five years. Startups incubated at recognized academic institutions can receive up to ₹25 lakh annually, enabling them to conduct research, pilot projects, and scale operations.

This move is expected to promote research-driven entrepreneurship, generate green jobs, and strengthen the state’s contribution to India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. By facilitating both technological advancement and economic opportunities, the initiative seeks to make Uttar Pradesh a national leader in clean energy innovation.

Advancing Green Hydrogen Production in the State

The policy comes at a time when Uttar Pradesh has already taken tangible steps in green hydrogen deployment. The state inaugurated its first green hydrogen plant in Gorakhpur, which is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 500 tonnes annually. Additional green hydrogen projects are also in the pipeline across various districts, signaling the state’s commitment to sustainable energy development.

The CoEs and supportive measures for startups are designed to build technical expertise, develop indigenous technologies, and foster a self-reliant ecosystem for green hydrogen production in UP. By leveraging advanced research and innovative entrepreneurship, the state aims to reduce dependency on imported technologies and bring down the cost of green hydrogen production.

Strategic Significance

With India targeting net-zero emissions by 2070, green hydrogen is viewed as a critical element in decarbonizing industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals, as well as providing clean energy for mobility and power generation. Uttar Pradesh’s focus on green hydrogen aligns with these national goals and positions the state as a key player in India’s clean energy transition.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state has been accelerating efforts to become a manufacturing and technology hub for green energy, with green hydrogen emerging as a strategic sector. By combining infrastructure investment, research innovation, and startup support, UP is laying the groundwork for technological leadership and economic growth in the emerging hydrogen economy.

Policy Outlook and Future Plans

The Green Hydrogen Policy emphasizes synergy between academia and industry, ensuring that innovations are practical, scalable, and cost-efficient. The policy also encourages public-private partnerships, skill development, and collaborative research programs.

By creating a supportive ecosystem for startups, research institutions, and industrial players, Uttar Pradesh seeks to attract investment and talent to the green hydrogen sector. The expected outcomes include not only technological advancements but also job creation, entrepreneurship opportunities, and strengthened energy security for the state and the nation.

In the coming years, the success of these Centres of Excellence and the supported startups could establish UP as a model state for green hydrogen deployment, demonstrating how regional initiatives can contribute meaningfully to national climate goals.

The state government’s push for green hydrogen represents a multi-pronged strategy:

• Establish advanced research and development facilities.
• Provide financial incentives for startups to encourage innovation.
• Implement green hydrogen production projects to reduce carbon emissions.
• Position UP as a national and international leader in clean energy technology.

With these steps, Uttar Pradesh is not only advancing its clean energy agenda but is also creating a blueprint for other states to follow in scaling up green hydrogen research, innovation, and industrial adoption.