Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the development of a 250 MW solar power project integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on defence land in Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant step towards enhancing energy security and promoting clean energy adoption within the defence sector.
The project will be developed on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land in Sitapur district and is expected to become one of the largest renewable energy installations on defence-owned land in the country. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s broader objectives of increasing renewable energy capacity while optimizing the use of underutilized public assets.
The solar-plus-storage project will be implemented by NTPC and will supply reliable, sustainable power to defence establishments. The integration of battery energy storage is expected to improve grid stability, ensure uninterrupted power availability, and maximize the utilization of renewable energy generated by the project.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on conventional energy sources, lowering electricity expenditure, and strengthening long-term energy resilience for critical defence infrastructure.
The project also supports India’s ambitious clean energy and decarbonization goals by demonstrating how renewable energy can be integrated into strategic sectors. By combining large-scale solar generation with advanced energy storage capabilities, the initiative is expected to serve as a model for future renewable energy developments on defence land across the country.
The approval reflects the growing emphasis on leveraging renewable energy technologies to achieve energy independence, sustainability, and operational efficiency while contributing to India’s broader vision of a secure and low-carbon energy future.
