Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, inaugurated a fleet of NTPC’s green hydrogen buses in Leh. The green hydrogen mobility project includes a 1.7 MW solar plant, a green hydrogen filling station with an 80 kg/day capacity, and five hydrogen-powered intra-city buses. Each bus can travel up to 300 km on a single 25 kg hydrogen refill.
This project is the world’s highest-altitude green hydrogen mobility initiative, located at 3,650 meters above sea level. It is designed to function in low-density air and sub-zero temperatures, with the capability to fill hydrogen at 350 bar pressure. The project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 350 metric tons per year and contribute 230 metric tons of pure oxygen annually to the atmosphere, which is equivalent to planting around 13,000 trees.
Ladakh’s high solar irradiance and low temperatures make it an ideal location for efficient solar power and green hydrogen production. By using green hydrogen locally, the project avoids reliance on fossil fuel logistics, helping make the region self-sufficient in its energy needs.
In addition to this initiative, NTPC is planning more hydrogen mobility projects across India, alongside expanding renewable energy capacity and establishing a hydrogen hub in Andhra Pradesh.
