Raksha Mantri approves first large-scale solar power project on defence land at Sitapur, UP

📌 Summary:

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh approved a 250 MW Solar Power Project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment), Uttar Pradesh, on about 850 acres of vacant defence land
• First-of-its-kind: the first large-scale solar generation facility with integrated BESS on defence land, to serve as a benchmark for future solar-plus-storage projects in the defence sector
• Implementation: developed by NTPC Limited through a competitive bid process to secure optimal pricing; coordinated with Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) and Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE)
• Benefits: strengthens energy security of defence establishments across UP, reduces dependence on conventional grid power and yields significant long-term savings to the exchequer
• Represents convergence of national security, energy security, technological innovation and environmental sustainability via optimum use of vacant defence lands

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 — renewable energy, energy security, sustainability; defence asset utilisation

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Project: 250 MW Solar + BESS on ~850 acres at Sitapur (Ex-Cantonment), UP
• Implementing agency: NTPC Limited; coordinated with DGDE
• BESS = Battery Energy Storage System

🔑 Key Term: Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) — a system that stores electricity (e.g., from solar) in batteries for release when needed, helping balance supply and demand and stabilise the grid.