MoD approves 250 MW solar-plus-storage project in Sitapur
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the establishment of a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment), Uttar Pradesh, on around 850 acres of vacant defence land. The project is the first large-scale solar power generation facility with integrated BESS to be developed on defence land by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The project is intended to strengthen energy security, promote renewable energy adoption, and utilise vacant defence land. According to the announcement, the project is also expected to reduce expenditure on procurement of conventional grid power for defence establishments over the project life cycle.
Project development
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Green Energy Limited, has been approved to develop the project through a competitive bid process. The process is aimed at achieving optimal energy pricing and savings for defence establishments.
Electricity generated from the project will be supplied to various defence units across Uttar Pradesh. The implementation will be carried out in coordination with Integrated Headquarters (IHQ) of MoD (Army) and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE).
Coordination and implementation
MoD, NTPC, IHQ of MoD (Army), and DGDE will coordinate for project execution. Upon completion, the Sitapur Solar Power Project is expected to be among the largest renewable energy projects developed on defence land in the country and could serve as a reference project for future solar-plus-storage developments in the defence sector.
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