NHPC is also planning to establish a small solar plant that will generate electricity to produce green hydrogen.
The The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), India’s one of the leading hydropower companies, has announced a significant investment of Rs 5,500 crore to establish a 1,000 MW solar power project in Bihar, marking its entry into large-scale renewable energy projects in the state. The company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Raj Kumar Chaudhary, shared this update on Friday, emphasizing the move as part of NHPC’s broader strategy to diversify into renewable energy.
The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government during the Bihar Business Connect 2024 investor summit. The project is expected to be completed within 1.5 to 2 years after land acquisition.
According to its website, the company operates nearly 7 gigawatts of hydropower plants, with an additional 9.3 gigawatts currently under construction. Chaudhary mentioned that NHPC is also planning to establish a small solar plant to generate electricity to produce green hydrogen.
The green hydrogen produced will be utilized to fuel passenger buses. Generated by splitting water using renewable energy, green hydrogen is the cleanest energy source, emitting only water and no carbon when burned. Chaudhary stated that NHPC will finance the green hydrogen-powered bus, which will be handed over to the state government to promote clean energy initiatives.
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is actively engaging in projects related to green hydrogen in Gujarat and other states. Their initiative supports the broader goal of transitioning to green hydrogen as a fuel, a crucial step towards achieving renewable energy targets and reducing carbon emissions.
As part of this initiative, NHPC plans to begin with the operation of one bus powered by green hydrogen. Over time, the project is expected to scale up, with the number of buses potentially doubling as the production of solar power increases, thereby ensuring a steady and sustainable supply of green hydrogen.
