Decarbonizing Defense: NTPC and Indian Army Sign Renewable Energy Agreement in Ladakh
Key Ideas
- NTPC and the Indian Army signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement for 200 kW Renewable Energy Round-the-Clock power from a Solar-Hydrogen microgrid in Ladakh.
- The project aims to replace diesel generators, reduce carbon emissions by 1,500 tons annually, and modernize defense infrastructure in the Himalayan border regions.
- Located at 4,400 meters altitude in Chushul, the hydrogen-based microgrid will help in decarbonization efforts amidst harsh winter conditions.
- The agreement signifies a significant step towards sustainable energy practices and environmental conservation in high-altitude military operations.
NTPC and the Indian Army have collaborated to sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the sale of 200 kW Renewable Energy Round-the-Clock (RE-RTC) power from a Solar-Hydrogen based microgrid at Chushul, Ladakh. The agreement, signed on February 3, aims to operate for 25 years. The initiative intends to replace the Army's diesel generator sets, thereby eliminating fossil fuel logistics and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,500 tons annually. The hydrogen-based off-grid microgrid is situated at an altitude of 4,400 meters in Chushul, where temperatures can drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius in winters. Once operational, it is expected to contribute significantly to the decarbonization and modernization efforts of the defense sector in the Himalayan border regions. This collaboration symbolizes a crucial step towards sustainable energy practices and environmental protection in challenging high-altitude military operations.