Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has approved setting up of a 250 MW solar power project with battery energy storage system (BESS) on a vacant defense land in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, marking the Defense Ministry’s first large-scale renewable energy project on a defense land.
According to an official statement issued on Tuesday, the project will be developed on around 850 acres of vacant defense land in Sitapur (former cantonment) and aims to enhance the long-term energy security of defense institutions while promoting clean energy and sustainability.
The Ministry of Defense said that the solar energy and storage project will help reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and achieve significant savings in electricity spending over its operational life. The initiative also aims to improve the use of vacant defense land for national development purposes.
State-run NTPC Limited will implement the project through a competitive bidding process to ensure optimal power pricing and maximize savings for defense enterprises. The project will be implemented in coordination with the Integrated Command of the Ministry of Defense (Army) and the General Directorate of Defense Regions (DGDE).
The ministry described the project as a convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation and environmental sustainability. She said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure while supporting the operational requirements of the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence, NTPC, Army Headquarters and DGDE will work together to ensure timely implementation of the project, officials said.
Once completed, the Sitapur Solar Project is expected to become one of India’s largest renewable energy facilities set up on defense land and serve as a benchmark for future solar and storage projects in the defense sector.
