NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a key subsidiary of India’s NTPC Limited, has launched an urgent bidding process to build a cutting-edge Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) in Kandla, Gujarat, marking a decisive step in global clean transportation efforts.
This hydrogen fueling facility will be integrated with an advanced 210 kg per day electrolyser system, producing green hydrogen to power fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The project includes compressed hydrogen storage at 540 kg capacity at 500 bar pressure and will fuel up to 11 vehicles simultaneously, a scale unprecedented for emerging hydrogen mobility infrastructure.
The tender, issued on May 1, 2026, invites competitive bids exclusively from qualified Indian suppliers and EPC contractors with proven experience in hydrogen, CNG, or energy infrastructure. Bidders must demonstrate financial robustness with an average turnover of ₹59 crore and net worth at least equal to paid-up capital, reflecting the project’s scale and complexity.
Contractors selected will deliver the project on a full turnkey basis, covering design, engineering, construction, final commissioning, and providing a guaranteed 10-year operation and maintenance (O&M) service to ensure reliability for this emerging fuel network.
The compressed hydrogen dispensing system will operate at a high-pressure level of 500 bar for effective refueling of fuel cell electric vehicles—underscoring NTPC’s commitment to scaling clean hydrogen mobility in India.
The bidding deadline is set for May 21, 2026, at 3:00 PM IST, with technical and financial envelopes opening the following day. A mandatory Earnest Money Deposit of ₹1 crore is required to qualify, signaling serious investment and commitment to sustainable transport innovation.
This project emerges globally relevant at a time when the US, including California, is aggressively pushing hydrogen infrastructure for heavy-duty and fleet vehicles, highlighting strategic shifts toward zero-emission technologies worldwide.
Industry experts note that hydrogen refueling stations with integrated electrolysers like this are crucial for building a green hydrogen supply chain capable of transforming transportation energy in both developing and advanced economies.
Construction and operation of such a facility will not only boost green hydrogen adoption in India but also generate valuable insights transferable to California’s own hydrogen rollout—currently spearheaded by state agencies and private firms investing billions in hydrogen mobility.
The Kandla HRS project follows India’s national green hydrogen policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and fostering self-reliance in clean fuel production, complementing California’s push for sustainable fuels and zero-emission vehicles.
As the bidding process unfolds this month, stakeholders worldwide will be watching closely the winning contractor who will shape this hydrogen refueling landmark. The project’s success may fast-track global hydrogen acceptance and infrastructure models crucial to hitting net-zero climate goals.
The California Herald will continue monitoring this developing story as updates on contract awards and project milestones become available. Stay tuned for immediate coverage on how this initiative ties into broader clean energy transitions affecting North America and beyond.
