NHPC Limited, India’s leading hydropower company, announced plans to invest Rs. 5,500 crore in establishing a 1,000 MW solar power project in Bihar. The announcement was made by Mr. Raj Kumar Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC, during the Bihar Business Connect 2024 Investor Summit in Patna.
“We have proposed this investment to set up a 1,000 MW solar power project, which can be completed within 1.5–2 years from the date of land acquisition,” Mr. Chaudhary stated. He urged the Bihar government to expedite the land acquisition process to ensure timely execution of the project.
NHPC, which operates nearly 7 GW of hydropower plants and has an additional 9.3 GW under construction, is expanding into renewable energy initiatives. Mr. Chaudhary also revealed plans for a small solar plant dedicated to producing green hydrogen, a clean energy source that emits only water when used.
“The green hydrogen produced will power passenger buses, with NHPC financing the first bus for the Bihar government as part of its clean energy initiatives,” he added. This aligns with the government’s push to promote green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel alternative.
NHPC is conducting similar green hydrogen projects in Gujarat and other states. Initially, the company plans to operate a single hydrogen-powered bus, with the potential to double the fleet as solar energy production increases.
This initiative underscores NHPC’s commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and supporting India’s transition to sustainable energy.
