NHPC to invest ₹5,500 cr in Bihar for solar energy and green hydrogen projects

NHPC Ltd has signed an MoU with the Bihar government to invest ₹5,500 crore in solar energy and green hydrogen initiatives. The company plans to develop 1,000 MW solar power and green hydrogen mobility pilot projects in the state, as announced at the Bihar Business Connect 2024 summit.

Highlighting Bihar’s progress in the energy sector, NHPC Chairman and Managing Director Raj Kumar Chaudhary stated that state support in land acquisition will be critical for timely implementation of these projects.

NHPC, a leading renewable energy producer in India, has 7 GW of operational hydropower capacity and 9.3 GW under construction. In Bihar, the company plans to establish a small solar plant to produce green hydrogen, which will be used to power passenger buses.

Green hydrogen, a clean energy source with zero carbon emissions, is produced using renewable energy. NHPC will finance the hydrogen-powered buses, which will be handed over to the state government to promote clean energy initiatives.

Also read: India’s solar industry shines this year: What’s in store for 2025

Chaudhary also noted that NHPC is executing similar projects in Gujarat and other states, aligning with the government’s push for green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel. Initially, one bus will run on green hydrogen, with the potential for scaling up as solar power production increases.