NTPC Ltd., the largest comprehensive energy company in India, signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. of Japan and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Power India Private Limited to prove the feasibility of hydrogen combustion with natural gas in MHI 701D gas turbine installed in NTPC Auraiya gas power plant in Uttar Pradesh. The total installed capacity of Auraiya Gas Power Plant is 663 MW, and four gas turbines operate in combined cycle mode. The two parties signed the MOU in the presence of Shri Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, director of NTPC Limited, Mr. CMD Tatsuto Nagayasu of Mitsubishi Power India Limited and Mr. Hiroyuki Shinohara, vice president of Mitsubishi Power India Limited.

To achieve the goal of decarbonization, a coordinated and wide-ranging road map needs to be developed in all energy intensive sectors. As part of this roadmap, hydrogen co combustion in gas turbines can play a key role in reducing CO2 emissions. NTPC Limited is the largest power producer in India and intends to play an important role in the energy transition and the realization of COP26 commitments. As part of this initiative, NTPC is exploring various new hydrogen production technologies and hydrogen use to ensure future readiness, develop the required capabilities and technical expertise, and align with national decarbonization and hydrogen mission objectives.

According to this memorandum, the two companies will cooperate to carry out research and determine the key measures to introduce hydrogen co combustion in NTPC Auraiya Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plant. The study will determine the key measures for co combustion of different proportions of hydrogen (such as 5%, 15%, 30%, 50% and 100%), and the hydrogen required for the project will be supplied by NTPC.

"NTPC is committed to playing a key role in India's energy transition process, as the country is moving forward to achieve the net zero goal and the climate goal. NTPC is initiating various hydrogen related initiatives and conducting research and development in this area to introduce a technology that can provide green, affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity for all. This MOU is one of the few steps NTPC has taken to achieve these goals Measures taken. We believe that cooperation with MHI Limited, which has global expertise in this technology, will help us achieve our goals under the national hydrogen energy mission. " Said Shri Manish Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director of NTPC Ltd.Editor/Xing Wentao