Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar officially launched NTPC Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh on Saturday, which includes a hydrogen refueling station, a 1.7 MW solar power plant, and five fuel cell buses operating at an altitude of 11,562 feet. This marks India’s first deployment of hydrogen buses for public transportation.
NTPC aims to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 60 GW by 2032, alongside taking a leadership role in green hydrogen and energy storage, according to an official spokesperson. During the event, the Minister flagged off NTPC’s hydrogen-powered buses and took a 12 km ride from the hydrogen filling station to Leh airport.
The project features a 1.7 MW solar power plant, an 80 kg/day capacity green hydrogen refueling station, and five hydrogen-powered intra-city buses. Each bus can travel up to 300 km on a single 25 kg hydrogen refill, the spokesperson stated.
This initiative is also the world’s highest-altitude green hydrogen mobility project, located at 3,650 meters above sea level. Designed to function in low-density air and sub-zero temperatures, the station fills hydrogen at 350 bar pressure.
The station is expected to reduce carbon emissions by about 350 metric tons annually and release 230 metric tons of pure oxygen, equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around 13,000 trees.NTPC is advancing additional hydrogen mobility projects across India, expanding renewable energy capacity, and establishing a hydrogen hub in Andhra Pradesh, as part of its broader green energy efforts. The Union Minister also visited a site showcasing waste-to-art sculptures in Leh.
NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation, is India’s largest integrated energy company, playing a pivotal role in meeting the nation’s power demands. Established in 1975, NTPC has grown into a diversified energy conglomerate with a strong presence across the energy value chain, including coal, gas, solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power generation.
With a total installed capacity of over 73 GW (as of 2024) and an ambitious target to reach 130 GW by 2032, NTPC is spearheading India’s transition to sustainable energy. The company is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, focusing on expanding its renewable energy portfolio to 60 GW by 2032. Through cutting-edge technology, efficient power plant operations, and innovative green initiatives such as hydrogen energy projects, NTPC continues to drive India’s clean energy goals while maintaining its legacy as a reliable power producer.
