Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay took a ride on a hydrogen-powered bus in the national capital. The event underscores a shared commitment to green energy initiatives between India and Bhutan.
Prime Minister Tobgay expressed his enthusiasm for the innovative vehicle, stating, “I enjoyed my journey on the bus. I was honored to be introduced to this wonderful vehicle by the Minister of Energy Transition. The fact that the bus can carry so many people and generates nothing but water as a waste product is remarkable.”
Union Minister Puri highlighted India’s plans to expand its fleet of hydrogen buses, stating, “From these initial 15 buses, India intends to grow further. The presence of the Bhutanese Prime Minister here will help spread the green hydrogen story.” He emphasized India’s ambition to become a global leader in hydrogen production and exports, with ongoing projects in hydrogen blending in natural gas pipelines and bio-pathways for green hydrogen production.
The visit also served as a platform for discussions on enhancing collaboration in the energy sector. Bhutan’s delegation expressed a strong interest in adopting green hydrogen mobility, aligning with their commitment to environmental sustainability.
India’s growing reliance on fossil fuels has spurred interest in renewable energy sources like green hydrogen to reduce dependence on conventional power. The global momentum for green energy as a means of climate mitigation further emphasizes this focus.
In January 2023, the Indian Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission, aiming to position India as a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen technologies. The mission has a financial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore and targets an annual production of 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen, alongside an addition of approximately 125 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
IndianOil, a pioneer in hydrogen research since 2004, has accelerated its green hydrogen initiatives over the past five years, encompassing storage, transportation, and various applications. Currently, eight fuel cell buses are operational in the Delhi NCR region, including units for the Indian Army and Navy, further solidifying IndianOil’s leadership in eco-friendly transportation solutions.
(Inputs from ANI)