Pune Military College Becomes India’s First Carbon Negative Garrison

Military College in Pune Commissions 5 MW Solar Plant; Becomes First Carbon Negative Garrison

Pune’s College of Military Engineering has commissioned a 5 MW solar power plant. With the commissioning of this plant, the college has augmented its solar power generation capacity to 7 MW. CME claims to be the first carbon negative military formation in India.

The CME has undertaken several initiatives towards curbing its carbon footprint. Among these, the largest one is the  execution of the 7 MW solar power plant in a phased manner that encompassed two phases. Besides this, the military college has several significant pilot projects in its kitty, like solar steam cooking plants for community cooking for troops at CME. The 5 MW capacity commissioned recently is linked to the Maharashtra State Electricity Grid. This has also enabled supply from CME to National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Command Hospital Pune, Military Hospital Khadki and Bombay Engineer Group and Centre, Khadki across Pune.

The first phase of the 7 MW solar plant, saw the commissioning of a 2 MW solar power plant two years ago. This helped meet the energy needs of CME during the day. The subsequent phase, or the second phase, achieved the commissioning of the remaining 5 MW. Officials at CME maintain that the successful implementation of the project has inspired other formations and tri-services establishments to head towards being carbon negative.

The Indian Army is stepping up efforts actively towards clean energy. In March, NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd signed an MoU with the Indian Army for the establishment of Green Hydrogen projects in its establishments. These will be on Build, Own and Operate (BOO) model. The aim of the partnership is to reduce complex logistics, dependence on fossil fuels and to accelerate decarbonization.