The Indian Army announced on Tuesday that it has begun the process of establishing a green hydrogen-based microgrid power plants project in the forward areas along the northern borders, a move that coincides with the eastern Ladakh border dispute with China.

The project is being carried out in areas that are not served by national or state power grids.

On Tuesday, the Army announced that it had signed an agreement with the National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) for the initiative.

India approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2023, with a Rs 19,744 crore budget to develop a green hydrogen production capacity of five million tonnes per year by 2030.

“In accordance with the ‘National Green Hydrogen Mission,’ the Indian Army has initiated the installation of a green hydrogen-based microgrid power plant project in forward areas along the Northern borders that are not connected by national/state grids”, the Army stated.

The statement stated that the required land is being leased for 25 years in exchange for a commitment to purchase generated power through a power purchase agreement.

“NTPC will install the proposed projects on Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) models at a jointly identified location in Eastern Ladakh”, it added.

“The project entails establishing a solar power plant for water hydrolysis to produce hydrogen, which will provide power through fuel cells during non-solar hours”, it explained.

According to the Army, the initiative will pave the way for future projects that will reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based generator sets while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

“With this Memorandum of Understanding, the Indian Army has become the first government organization to enter into an agreement with National Thermal Power Corporation Renewable Energy Limited, with firm plans to roll out similar projects in the future”, the Army said.

(With input from PTI)

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