New Delhi: NTPC Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Japan and its subsidiary Mitsubishi Power India Private Limited to demonstrate the feasibility for hydrogen co-firing blended with natural gas in MHI 701D gas turbines installed at NTPC Auraiya gas power plant in Uttar Pradesh.

The total installed capacity of Auraiya gas power plant is 663 MW with four gas turbines operating in combined cycle mode. The MoU was recently signed by both companies in the presence of Ujjwal Kanti Bhattacharya, Director, Projects, NTPC Ltd, Tatsuto Nagayasu, CMD, Mitsubishi Power India and Hiroyuki Shinohara, Vice President, Mitsubishi Power India.

As a part of this road map, hydrogen co-firing in gas turbines can play a key role in reducing CO2 emissions. NTPC, being the largest power generator in India, intends to play a major role in energy transition and achieving the COP26 commitments.

“NTPC is committed to play a key role in India’s energy transition journey as the country marches ahead to achieve the net-zero target and climate goals. NTPC is pioneering various hydrogen-related initiatives and is carrying out R&D works in this field so as to bring in a technology which can provide green, affordable, reliable and sustainable power for all,” Manish Kumar Srivastava, Executive Director, NTPC Ltd.

“This MoU is one of the few steps taken by NTPC to meet these targets. We believe that partnering with MHI Limited which has global expertise in this technology will help us meet our objectives under the National Hydrogen Mission,” added Kumar.

 “The momentous event of the signing of the MOU signifies the focus of NTPC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries towards achieving the goal of decarbonisation of the power generation sector and their commitment to addressing the pressing issue of climate change.” said Tatsuto Nagayasu, CMD, Mitsubishi Power India.