By Sethuraman N R
(Reuters) -India’s Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) has extended the deadline for submitting bids for its green hydrogen project in Assam by two weeks, according to a tender document, as uncertainty looms over the state’s flagship clean energy policy.
NRL, owned by explorer Oil India, has extended the last bid submission date to August 6 from July 23 without citing a reason for the extension, per the document seen by Reuters.
Last week, Reuters reported that the northeastern state of Assam had paused its green hydrogen policy, surprising investors who were already grappling with reduced incentives for renewable energy projects.
The delay has prompted companies to reassess their investment plans worth billions of rupees in the region that has historically lagged behind in clean energy adoption, Reuters had reported, citing sources.
Last week, Harit Molecules Foundation (HMF), an industry body representing green hydrogen project developers in India, wrote to NRL seeking an extension to submit bids for NRL’s 10,000-metric-tonnes-per annum green hydrogen generation project at the Assam refinery, per an email seen by Reuters.
The HMF sought the extension citing a lack of clarity on incentives applicable to the project and the complex nature of the project.
NRL and Harit Molecules Foundation did not respond to requests for comment.
NRL had announced the green hydrogen tender last year and it is among the top tenders floated in the country to boost clean energy adoption.
Green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, is seen as a key tool in decarbonising heavy industries and transport.
Assam in February announced several incentives to attract clean energy investments into the state, but in June, it sharply reduced transmission subsidies and increased bank guarantees without giving reasons.
Multiple industry and government sources had told Reuters that the state was coming out with a new green hydrogen policy by July-end.
(Reporting by Sethuraman NR; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
