BHEL Signs 10-Year MoU with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trains in India.
Economy Business
In September 2025, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MoHI), signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. The agreement aims to develop and commercialize hydrogen fuel cell-based trains tailored to India’s rail market, supporting the shift towards clean and sustainable mobility.
- The partnership focuses on creating zero-emission hydrogen-powered trains, where hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity onboard.
- These trains will provide an alternative to diesel locomotives, which currently account for nearly 30% of Indian Railways’ traction fleet, and complement electrification efforts.
Main Point :- (i) This marks BHEL’s entry into hydrogen-based transport technologies, diversifying from its core strengths in power and heavy engineering. The deal positions BHEL in a growing global hydrogen economy projected to be worth USD 500 billion by 2030, with rail transport identified as a key application sector.
(ii) The collaboration aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), approved in January 2023 with an initial outlay of â‚ą19,744 crore, which targets 5 million metric tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production by 2030. Hydrogen rail applications are considered a priority under NGHM for decarbonising heavy transport.
(iii) The MoU combines BHEL’s expertise in propulsion systems, electric locomotives, and heavy manufacturing with Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies’ global leadership in fuel cell stacks and hydrogen power systems, ensuring indigenous development backed by proven international technology.
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