During the current Lok Sabha session, Shripad Yesso Naik, the Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy and Power, gave information on the current and planned energy projects in Ladakh, according to the Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

 

“A 25 MWac/50 MWdc solar power project with a 40 MWh battery storage is one of the key projects now under development by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) at Taru, Leh,” he said. “M/s Prozeal Green Energy Private Limited has been given the EPC contract for this project. Furthermore, a massive 13 GW Hybrid Renewable Energy (RE) park with solar, wind, and battery energy storage technologies is being proposed for the Pang, Debring, and Kharnak regions.”

 

The government is investing Rs. 20,773.70 crore for an Inter-State Transmission System in Ladakh to evacuate power from 13 GW renewable energy projects. PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited is providing central financial assistance for 40% of the DPR cost or awarded cost. Minister Naik highlighted

 

With the 0.80 MW Bogdang Small Hydro Power project and the 2.5 MW Zunkul Small Hydro Power project currently under construction, the area is also seeing advancements in small hydro power generation in addition to solar projects.

 

According to KNO, in response to concerns about the delicate ecology of the area, Naik affirmed that solar photovoltaic projects are exempt from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, which means that no environmental permission is needed for them. Though the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has notified the E-trash Management Rules, 2022, steps are being done to handle electronic trash (e-waste) produced by solar panels. For material recovery, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also requires solar panel recycling.