NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a key subsidiary of India’s leading power producer NTPC Limited, has just launched a high-stakes tender to build a state-of-the-art Hydrogen Refueling Station (HRS) in Kandla, Gujarat. This marks a critical milestone in India’s expanding clean energy landscape and has immediate global significance for hydrogen mobility development.
The tender, numbered NGEL-CS-H2-GUJARAT-001(R), was officially issued on May 1, 2026 and targets local Class-I and Class-II suppliers within India for a strong domestic competitive bidding process. Bidders have until May 21, 2026, 3:00 PM IST to submit their proposals, with a technical bid opening scheduled for the next day at 4:00 PM. The project’s scope demands not only design and construction but also a comprehensive turnkey execution including equipment supply, testing, commissioning, and an extensive 10-year operation and maintenance (O&M) commitment.
The hydrogen refueling station will feature an owner-supplied electrolyser capable of producing 210 kilograms of hydrogen daily. This green hydrogen will be compressed at a rate of 20 kg per hour to a pressure of 500 bar. The facility’s storage will hold up to 540 kilograms of hydrogen using high-pressure cylinder cascades. Additionally, a dispensing system will fuel up to 11 fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) at 350 bar, making this a pioneering infrastructure for hydrogen mobility.
Supporting infrastructure includes a nitrogen generation system for safe purging operations and advanced fire safety and suppression systems. The entire setup will be monitored and controlled via an integrated SCADA/EMS centralized control system, ensuring top-tier operational reliability. This detailed technical framework underscores the project’s high standards, aligning with global hydrogen energy initiatives.
NTPC Green Energy has outlined strict qualification criteria for bidders, inviting firms with experience in hydrogen refueling, process industries, or compressed natural gas (CNG) station projects. Financial thresholds require bidders to have an average annual turnover of at least ₹59 crore over the past three fiscal years and a net worth not less than their paid-up share capital. Additionally, eligible contractors must have prior experience managing projects valued at a minimum of ₹47 crore in the energy sector.
Winning bids must also submit a mandatory ₹1 crore Earnest Money Deposit (EMD), with non-compliance leading to automatic rejection. Proposals will be evaluated through a two-envelope system separating technical and financial bids to ensure a transparent and competitive selection process.
Why This Matters Now
This initiative is pivotal as hydrogen fuel technologies gain traction globally, signaling potential shifts in clean transportation, energy sustainability, and regional economic growth. While Kandla, Gujarat emerges as a hub for green hydrogen in India, the project’s ripple effects are relevant to US and Kentucky audiences closely watching the hydrogen transition for heavy transport, long-haul trucking, and zero-emission energy solutions.
For US stakeholders, this tender reflects accelerating international momentum in hydrogen infrastructure investments that could influence future technology adoption and market partnerships. Kentucky businesses involved in clean energy and manufacturing may see opportunities aligned with this global hydrogen wave.
What’s Next
Interested bidders must submit any questions by the May 11, 2026 deadline, with full technical and financial bids due May 21. Selection decisions will shape the rollout of this benchmark hydrogen refueling facility expected to advance green mobility dramatically.
With bold deadlines and rigorous requirements, NTPC Green Energy presses forward on building a cutting-edge hydrogen station that demonstrates India’s—and the world’s—commitment to clean fuel technologies. Kentucky and US clean energy watchers should stay tuned as this project develops and influences global energy transitions.
