New Delhi, June 9: In a significant move to maximize the use of vacant defense land, the central government has approved a solar power project in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. This announcement was made by the Ministry of Defense on Tuesday.
The ministry revealed that a 250-megawatt solar power project, including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), will be established on approximately 850 acres of unused defense land in the eastern cantonment area of Sitapur. The project will be implemented through the government-owned company NTPC.
According to the Ministry of Defense, this initiative reflects the government’s commitment to clean energy, sustainable development, and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Besides enhancing long-term energy security for the armed forces, the project is expected to significantly lower the costs associated with purchasing conventional grid electricity for defense establishments, leading to savings for the government during the project’s duration.
NTPC Limited is executing this project through a competitive bidding process to ensure optimal energy pricing and savings for defense establishments. The project will be carried out in close coordination with the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense (Army) and the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE). It represents a convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability, highlighting the Ministry of Defense’s commitment to leveraging its assets in support of national development goals while safeguarding strategic interests.
Upon completion, the Sitapur Solar Power Project is expected to emerge as one of the country’s most significant renewable energy projects established on defense land, setting a benchmark for future solar-plus-storage projects in the defense sector.
The Ministry of Defense, NTPC, the Ministry of Defense (Army) headquarters, and DGDE will work in better coordination to ensure the timely implementation of the project.
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