Defence minister approves 250 MW solar-BESS project on vacant defence land in UP's Sitapur

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved setting up a 250 MW solar power project with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on about 850 acres of vacant defence land in Uttar Pradesh's Sitapur, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.

Describing it as a "first-of-its-kind project" on defence land, the ministry said the initiative involves development of a large-scale solar power generation facility with integrated battery storage support.

The government termed the project a major step towards enhancing energy security, promoting renewable energy and ensuring "optimum utilisation of vacant defence land".

"The initiative reflects the Government's commitment towards clean energy, sustainability and reduction of dependence on conventional energy sources," it said in a statement.

The project is expected to strengthen the long-term energy security of the armed forces and "substantially reduce expenditure incurred on procurement of conventional grid power for defence establishments."

State-run NTPC Ltd will implement the project through a competitive bidding process, it said.

The project will be executed in coordination with the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE).

According to the ministry, the project represents a "convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation and environmental sustainability" and highlights the ministry's efforts to leverage its assets in support of national development goals.

The ministry said the Sitapur solar project is expected to emerge as one of the country's largest renewable energy projects established on defence land and serve as a benchmark for future solar-plus-storage projects in the defence sector.