Army Plans Green Hydrogen-based Power Plants Alongside China

The Indian Army on Tuesday notified a process in motion for the installation of a green hydrogen-based microgrid power plant project in the forward areas along the northern borders.

The project implemented to connect forward areas that are not connected by national or state power grids is a move that comes amid the eastern Ladakh border row with China.

The Army further highlighted signing an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) for the initiative.

Meanwhile, India on 4, January approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an estimated expenditure of Rs 19,744 crore to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of five million tonnes a year by 2030.

According to the army to inline with the 'National Green Hydrogen Mission', the Indian Army has put in motion the process for installation of a green hydrogen-based microgrid power plant projecting forward areas along the Northern borders that are not connected by national or state grids.

It said the requisite land on lease is being provided for the period of 25 years committing to purchase generated power through a power purchase agreement.

"The proposed projects will be based on the Build, Own and Operate (BOO) models projected at a jointly identified location in Eastern Ladakh installed by NTPC on”, it said.

The project even entails to setup up a solar power plant for hydrolysis of water producing hydrogen, which, during non-solar hours will provide power through fuel cells," it said.

The Army further hinted the initiative will boost similar projects in the future and contribute towards reducing dependence on fossil fuel-based generator sets with concomitant abatement of greenhouse gas emissions.

This MoU has helped the Indian Army in becoming the first government organisation to enter into an agreement with National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited rolling out plans for similar projects in the future”, the Army said.