NTPC, India’s leading power generation company has made a substantial move toward green energy through their 25 year partnership with the Indian Army. This joint venture aims to create an advanced Solar Hydrogen-based Microgrid facility at Chushul in Ladakh.
The Solar Hydrogen-based microgrid system which is developed by NTPC provides complete standalone operation. The system uses hydrogen for efficient energy storage, providing consistent 200kW power year-round, regardless of weather.
This power system replaces diesel generators that struggle below -30°C at 4,400 meters in Ladakh’s harsh winters. Consequently, NTPC aims to improve operations and living conditions for soldiers in these strategic locations by providing reliable, sustainable power.
The transition from diesel generators to a Solar-Hydrogen microgrid offers numerous advantages.
- Firstly, it integrates renewable energy sources thus minimizes carbon emissions.
- Secondly, stable power supply becomes possible during any extreme weather conditions.
- Thirdly, this system establishes a sustainable energy ecosystem by reducing carbon footprint.
The region of Ladakh has ideal conditions for green hydrogen development because it possesses strong solar resources and consistent cold temperatures. This project removes the logistical challenges of fuel supply to remote locations for Indian Army and at the same time creates energy independence for locations that experience connectivity disruptions. The successful execution of this project represents a vital achievement toward defense sector decarbonization efforts within Himalayan terrain areas.
NTPC’s dedication to green energy initiatives goes beyond its current project. The company has recently initiated hydrogen bus trial in Leh and is constructing a hydrogen fueling station along with solar facilities to power five fuel cell buses running on intracity routes in Leh. It has set an ambitious target of achieving 60GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032.
This is a PIB feed; edited by Clean-Future team