New Delhi: In a significant push towards India’s clean energy transition, Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Jadavpur University, and the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia technologies.
The CoE will function under the umbrella of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), spearheaded by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India. This initiative marks a strategic convergence of industrial capability and academic expertise to catalyze innovation, scalable green technologies, and cross-sector collaboration.
Focus on Green Energy Innovation
The new Centre of Excellence aims to become a national hub for:
- Advanced research in green hydrogen and green ammonia
- Scalable technology development
- Policy and infrastructure recommendations
- Skill development and academic-industry synergy
The collaboration will be instrumental in supporting India’s energy security, decarbonisation goals, and its commitment to become a global hub for green fuel production and innovation.
MoU Signing Ceremony
The MoU was officially signed in New Delhi in the presence of:
- Dr. S.P. Mohanty, Managing Director, HURL
- Mr. S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, DVC
- Senior representatives from SAIL and Jadavpur University
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohanty highlighted the pivotal role of collaborative R&D in India’s energy transition:
“This partnership symbolizes a commitment to India’s green future. Through this Centre, we aim to accelerate innovation, bridge gaps between research and implementation, and empower India to lead in green energy technology.”
Powering the Green Hydrogen Mission
Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to become a key global supplier of green hydrogen by leveraging its renewable energy resources and industrial base. The Centre of Excellence will:
- Promote industry-academia partnerships
- Enable pilot projects and technology validation
- Encourage knowledge exchange and international cooperation
Industrial and Academic Synergy
This MoU combines:
- HURL’s leadership in fertilizer and ammonia production
- DVC’s strength in power generation and grid infrastructure
- SAIL’s industrial and steel manufacturing prowess
- Jadavpur University’s research excellence and academic credibility
This synergy is expected to create a strong foundation for disruptive innovation in the green energy sector.
About HURL
Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited is a joint venture company formed by leading Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to revive fertilizer plants in India. Specifically, HURL was created to revitalize the Gorakhpur, Sindri, and Barauni fertilizer units. The company is a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), NTPC Ltd., Coal India Ltd. (CIL), and Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL)/Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Ltd. (HFCL). Each of the three units (Gorakhpur, Barauni, and Sindri) has a production capacity of 2200 MTPD of Ammonia and 3850 MTPD of Urea, according to HURL.
About DVC
The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is India’s first multipurpose river valley project, established in 1948, primarily focused on flood control, irrigation, water supply, navigation, drainage, and power generation in the Damodar River basin. It operates in the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand. DVC is a statutory corporation governed by the DVC Act of 1948. DVC aims to address multiple needs of the region, including flood control, irrigation, water supply, and power generation. DVC is a public sector undertaking (PSU).
About SAIL
SAIL, or Steel Authority of India Ltd, is an Indian public sector steel manufacturing corporation headquartered in New Delhi. It’s one of India’s largest steel manufacturers and a “Maharatna” (a top-tier Public Sector Enterprise). SAIL manages several integrated and special steel plants across India, including those in Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro, and Burnpur. It is the largest government-owned steel producer in India, with an annual production capacity of 18.29 million metric tons.
