In a significant move towards strengthening energy security and advancing sustainable infrastructure within the defence sector, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the establishment of a 250 MW Solar Power Project with an integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment), Uttar Pradesh.
The pioneering project, to be developed on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land, marks the first large-scale solar energy initiative of its kind undertaken by the Ministry of Defence. The project aims to enhance long-term energy resilience for defence establishments while promoting the Government’s vision of clean energy adoption and optimal utilisation of available defence assets.
Implemented by NTPC Limited through a competitive bidding process, the project is expected to ensure cost-effective power generation and significantly reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity. The initiative will contribute to substantial savings in energy expenditure for defence establishments over the project’s operational lifespan.
The project will be executed in close coordination with the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE), ensuring seamless implementation and efficient utilisation of defence land resources.
Beyond its operational and economic benefits, the Sitapur Solar Power Project represents a strategic convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation and environmental sustainability. It underscores the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to leveraging modern technologies and renewable energy solutions to support both defence preparedness and national development objectives.
Upon completion, the project is expected to emerge as one of India’s largest renewable energy installations on defence land and serve as a benchmark for future solar-plus-storage initiatives across the defence sector.
