Centre okays first big solar power project on defence land in UP's Sitapur
New Delhi, June 9
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the establishment of a 250 MW solar power project with battery energy storage system on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land at Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur, in a major step towards promoting renewable energy in the country, according to a Defence Ministry statement on Tuesday.
This is the first-of-its-kind project undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), involving the development of a large-scale solar power generation facility with integrated BESS support on defence land, the statement said.
NTPC Limited is implementing the project through a competitive bid process to realise the most optimal energy pricing and savings for defence establishments.
The project, to be implemented in close coordination with the Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) (IHQ) and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), represents a convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation and environmental sustainability, highlighting the commitment of the Ministry of Defence to leverage its assets in support of national development goals while safeguarding strategic interests, as per the statement.
The ministry, NTPC, the IHQ, and DGDE will work in close coordination to ensure the timely implementation of the project. Upon completion, the Sitapur Solar Power Project is expected to emerge as one of the country's most significant renewable energy projects established on defence land and a benchmark for future solar-plus-storage projects in the defence sector, the statement said.
The initiative reflects the government's commitment towards clean energy, sustainability and the reduction of dependence on conventional energy sources. Besides strengthening long-term energy security for the defence forces, the project is expected to substantially reduce expenditure incurred on procurement of conventional grid power for defence establishments, resulting in significant savings to the government exchequer over the life cycle of the project, the statement added.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a positive step towards renewable energy. I hope they ensure proper environmental safeguards during construction and don't compromise the fertile land in Sitapur. The battery storage component is key for grid stability.
Finally some good use of defence land! Hope this becomes a model for other states too. But I wonder about the maintenance and security of the solar panels on defence property. The army should be involved from day one. 🤔
This is a win-win: clean energy and savings for defence. But I hope the local communities in Sitapur benefit too—job creation, skill development, and cheaper electricity for nearby villages should be part of the plan. Otherwise it's just another bureaucratic project.
Interesting approach by the MoD. 250 MW with battery storage on 850 acres is decent density. The timing is crucial as India aims for 500 GW renewable by 2030. Let's hope NTPC delivers efficiently without cost overruns.
Good move but slow implementation. We need many more such projects across defence lands in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. The government should also consider leasing defence land to private solar developers for faster execution.
I appreciate the dual focus on security and sustainability. But I worry about the environmental impact on the local ecosystem in Sit
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