Ladakh begins carbon neutral drive with 50 MW solar storage plant
Ladakh begins its quest for carbon-neutral status with a first-of-its-kind battery storage-based solar project of 50-megawatt capacity to make Leh, the union territory’s nerve centre, self-sufficient in power.
SECI, the central agency implementing the National Solar Mission, and Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council on Tuesday signed land agreement for the project that will supply power at Rs 2 per unit, among the cheapest in the country.
The project is being built on 289 acres of land at Taru near Leh at an investment of Rs 239 crore and a viability gap funding of Rs 241 crore from the Centre. Four companies, including Vikram Solar and Sterling and Wilson, are in the race for the project, which is likely to be awarded by the month-end. It is expected to be completed by October-November 2022.
Ladakh L-G R K Mathur said the project will end Leh’s vulnerability to supply disruption and replace 40 MW imported from the national grid through a single transmission line across treacherous terrain. This link is vulnerable to damage from landslides and avalanches, especially during winters.
“We have been lucky for two winters. We can’t say we will continue to be lucky. This project will ensure power for Leh in case of damage to the transmission line,” Mathur said at the signing ceremony.
