Ladakh To Add To Solar Imprint With 5 MW CESL MOU

The union territory of Ladakh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) for setting up of 5-MW Solar Power Plant at Zanskar in Kargil.

Signed on June 5, World environment day, between Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil and CESL .

Speaking at  the virtual event, Lt. Governor of Ladakh, R K. Mathur said that this is the first of many such projects in Ladakh’s endeavor to achieve carbon neutrality and thanked CESL for taking up the challenge of working in the harsh terrain of Zanskar.

With a solar potential of 30 GW, Ladakh has been in the sights of the government for a long time, to be turned into a carbon neutral, energy exporting region eventually on the back of solar power.

The current initiative will see off-grid generation, energy-efficient appliances, shortage-based solutions, and sustainable energy-based initiatives supported by carbon finance investments.

Ladakh, where a 7 GW project has been planned and still going through feasibility issues linked to land and transmission costs, has meanwhile already signed an agreement with SECI for the first of its larger initiatives in solar power. The  50 MW solar power project planned at Taru, Leh is one such project.

The region, which, till recently was run almost exclusively on diesel powered  generators, offers high solar potential due to its climate, which despite being very cold in the winters, does not see high snowfall or even rainfall. Akin more to a cold desert, conditions are considered very good for solar energy generation for over 280 days in a year. a sensitive ecosystem also means that the case for a zero emissions energy system is very strong in the region, with low population density of less than 5 people per sq k.m  too.