India's MNRE releases model agreement for electrolyser‑as‑a‑service green hydrogen projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a Model Service Agreement for an "Electrolyser-as-a-Service" (EAAS) scheme under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The agreement provides a standardized contract that lets technology developers design, finance, construct, own, operate and maintain electrolytic hydrogen generation plants on a build‑own‑operate (BOO) basis for a 15‑year period, extendable by mutual consent. Industrial consumers supply the site, utilities, approvals and civil works, while paying a fixed monthly lease and operation‑maintenance charge, with annual price adjustments linked to the consumer price index.

The framework aims to lower transaction costs, reduce upfront capital requirements for industrial off‑takers, and accelerate the commercialization of green hydrogen in India’s industrial sector. Developers must maintain performance benchmarks and supply operational data for Green Hydrogen certification under MNRE’s standards. The model was published on 23 July 2026 and is intended to boost investor confidence and streamline contract negotiations for green hydrogen projects across the country.