The Ministry of Defence has approved the development of a 250 MW solar power project integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in India’s renewable energy sector.
The project will be established on approximately 850 acres of vacant defence land and is expected to become the first large-scale solar-plus-storage project developed on defence-owned land in the country. The initiative aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance energy security, promote clean energy adoption, and optimize the use of underutilized public assets.
The proposed facility will comprise a 250 MW solar power plant coupled with a 50 MW/200 MWh Battery Energy Storage System, enabling the project to store surplus renewable energy and improve grid stability. The storage component is expected to facilitate the supply of clean electricity during peak demand periods, addressing the intermittency challenges associated with solar generation.
The project will be implemented by NTPC through a competitive bidding process and has been developed in coordination with the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army, and the Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE).
Industry observers view the project as a landmark development that combines renewable energy generation with energy storage while demonstrating the potential for defence land to support national clean energy objectives. The initiative is also expected to contribute to India’s renewable energy capacity expansion and long-term decarbonization goals.
Beyond its energy benefits, the project is anticipated to support local economic development through infrastructure investment and employment generation during the construction and operational phases.
The approval underscores the growing importance of solar-plus-storage projects in India’s energy transition and highlights the increasing collaboration between government agencies and public sector enterprises in advancing sustainable energy infrastructure.
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