LEH: 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. The project is estimated to replace 40 MW imported from the national grid.
It will boost availability for meeting latent demand for expanding economic activities. “Today demand is not there because power is not available. I would like to think Leh will have demand for 200 MW with plans under consideration — food processing, weaving, irrigation; all need power,” he said.
SECI MD Jitendra Swain said a solar-storage project of such a large capacity was being built for the first time in the country and will help fulfil PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a carbon-neutral Ladakh. The project will ensure a minimum of 16 hours of supply in non-sunny condition.
PM had asked officials at a review meeting in May 2020 to speed up plans to make Ladakh carbon neutral. He later reiterated the vision at the Independence Day speech.
LAHDC chief executive councillor Tashi Gyaltson said the project will benefit people of Leh by creating jobs for locals and improving power supply. Lok Sabha MP Jamyang Tsering said the project follows the vision of Antodaya as the low tariff will make power affordable for the poor.
