In a significant step towards sustainable transportation, NTPC Limited launched its first fleet of green hydrogen-powered buses in Leh. Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister of Power, Government of India, flagged off the buses, marking the beginning of India's inaugural green hydrogen mobility project. The project comprises an in-situ 1.7 MW solar plant, a green hydrogen filling station capacity of 80 kg per day, and 5 hydrogen intra-city buses. Each bus can cover 300 km per single filling of hydrogen of 25 kg.

The initiative, implemented by NTPC’s Renewable Energy division, underscores India's commitment to cleaner energy solutions. These zero-emission buses are designed to operate at high altitudes, showcasing the versatility and viability of hydrogen as a clean fuel. Speaking at the launch, Khattar stated, "The potential of a green hydrogen mobility solution in Ladakh is very strong considering the high solar irradiance with low temperature; a sweet spot for production and utilization of this green fuel at these locations would avoid the fossil fuel logistics and make the locations self-sufficient in terms of energy requirement."

The project aligns with the government’s vision for a carbon-neutral Ladakh, leveraging the region’s abundant renewable energy potential. NTPC has also set up a state-of-the-art green hydrogen generation plant in Leh to support the buses, ensuring a sustainable supply chain. The minister further highlighted the importance of adopting eco-friendly technologies to mitigate climate change and foster sustainable development and commended NTPC for its contribution to energy security and decarbonization efforts of the country through the adoption of hydrogen technologies.