NHPC to Invest Rs 5,500 Crore in 1,000 MW Solar Project in Bihar.

NHPC Ltd, India’s largest hydropower company, has announced plans to invest Rs. 5,500 crore in establishing a 1,000 MW solar power project in Bihar. The company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Raj Kumar Chaudhary, revealed the investment during the Bihar Business Connect 2024 investor summit, where an MoU was signed with the state government.

"We have proposed to invest Rs 5,500 crore in setting up a 1,000 MW solar power project in Bihar," Chaudhary said. The project is expected to be completed within 1.5 to 2 years, contingent upon land acquisition.

Chaudhary emphasized the importance of securing land for the timely execution of the project. "Land is crucial for solar projects, and we urge the state government to facilitate the acquisition process to ensure that we can proceed on schedule," he added.

NHPC, which currently operates nearly 7 gigawatts of hydropower plants and has 9.3 gigawatts under construction, is also planning to establish a smaller solar plant to generate green hydrogen. The hydrogen produced will be used to power passenger buses in the state, aligning with the government's initiative to promote clean energy sources.

"Green hydrogen, which is produced by splitting water using renewable energy, is the cleanest form of energy as it generates no carbon emissions, only water," Chaudhary said. NHPC will finance the green hydrogen-powered buses, which will be provided to the state government for public transport.

The company is implementing similar green hydrogen projects in Gujarat and other states. Chaudhary noted that the government is keen to promote green hydrogen as a sustainable fuel, and NHPC's plan is in line with this vision. Initially, NHPC intends to deploy one green hydrogen-powered bus, with plans to increase the number as more solar power is generated.

BS