Green Hydrogen Mobility Project at Leh comprises in-situ 1.7 MW solar plant, Green hydrogen filling station of capacity 80 kg/day and 5 hydrogen intra-city buses
NTPC’s Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh has marked a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy in remote regions. The project was inaugurated recently by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal, includes hydrogen-fueled buses, a hydrogen fueling station, and a solar power plant. It aims to cut carbon emissions by 350 metric tons annually.
After the flag-off, Union Minister travelled 12 km in one of the H2 buses from the H2 filling station to the Leh airport.
The Union Minister congratulated NTPC for its unique contribution to the energy security and decarbonisation efforts of the country through adoption of hydrogen technologies at various fronts like mobility, blending with PNG, green methanol and its overall thrust on RE.
The buses, designed to endure extreme conditions, can run 300 km on a single hydrogen refill, even in sub-zero temperatures and low oxygen levels at an altitude of 11,562 feet.
The fueling station, with a daily capacity of 80 kg, is powered by a 1.7 MW solar plant, utilizing the region’s high solar potential. The project’s environmental benefits are equivalent to planting 13,000 trees. The initiative highlights NTPC’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio, targeting 60 GW of renewable capacity by 2032, and also underlines its commitment to hydrogen as a clean transport solution.
Potential of green hydrogen mobility solution in Ladakh is very strong considering the high solar irradiance with low temperature, a sweet spot for producing the solar power and green hydrogen efficiently. Production and utilisation of this green fuel at these locations would avoid the fossil fuel logistics and make the locations self-sufficient in terms of energy requirement.
It is a step towards building a more sustainable future with clean transport options, and NTPC is exploring further hydrogen initiatives across India, including plans for a hydrogen hub in Andhra Pradesh, said an official from the NTPC.
