New Delhi, June 9. In a significant move aimed at strengthening energy security and expanding the use of renewable energy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the establishment of a 250 MW solar power project equipped with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on around 850 acres of vacant defence land at Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) described the project as the first initiative of its kind involving the development of a large-scale solar power generation facility with integrated battery storage on defence land. The project is expected to enhance long-term energy security for the armed forces while promoting sustainable and clean energy solutions.
According to the ministry, the initiative is aligned with the government’s broader objective of reducing dependence on conventional energy sources and improving environmental sustainability. It is also expected to lower the expenditure incurred on purchasing electricity from the grid for defence establishments, leading to substantial savings for the government over the life of the project.
State-run power major NTPC Limited will execute the project through a competitive bidding process aimed at securing the most cost-effective energy pricing. The implementation will be carried out in close coordination with the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE).
The ministry said the project represents a convergence of national security and energy security, while also showcasing technological innovation and environmental responsibility. It added that the initiative underlines the Defence Ministry’s efforts to utilise its land assets in support of broader national development goals without compromising strategic interests.
Officials said the Ministry of Defence, NTPC, the Army headquarters and DGDE would work closely to ensure the timely completion of the project. Once operational, the Sitapur Solar Power Project is expected to become one of India’s largest renewable energy facilities established on defence land and could serve as a model for future solar-plus-storage projects across the defence sector.
