UT Administration, LAHDC Leh, and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI Ltd) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 6 for setting up a 50 MW solar power project at Taru, Leh.

The three parties signed MoU in presence of the Lieutenant Governor Ladakh, R K Mathur. CEC, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson; Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; CMD SECI, Jatinder Nath Swain; Advisor to LG, Umang Narula; Secretary, PDD & NRE, Ravinder Kumar and Deputy Commissioner Leh, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse were present.

L-G Mathur lauded SECI for taking the initiative of setting up a reasonably large project of 50 MW and contributing to meet the power needs of Ladakh by using clean solar energy. He informed that similar projects are in discussion with SECI which would lead Ladakh closer to attaining the vision of a carbon-neutral state.

He added that these projects would also play a crucial role in contributing to the economic growth of Ladakh.

He also stressed that Ladakh's potential to produce 33GW renewable energy could play a huge role in taking Ladakh on the path of carbon neutrality by reducing and eliminating the dependency on fossil fuels for generating power.

LG Mathur appreciated the participation of LAHDC Leh and MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal for their efforts to help the initiative succeed.

LG Mathur also informed about a pilot project being discussed with SECI to meet the energy requirement for heating and electricity to the Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital in Leh by using clean hydrogen energy.

Terming the MoU as a historic new start for UT Ladakh, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson shared that the MoU is the result of prolonged deliberations with SECI to make it beneficial for the locals under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor, UT Ladakh. He added that the project was initiated to make Ladakh economically self-reliant by providing new employment opportunities for Ladakhi people. 

MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, expressed his hope that the tripartite MoU would be a great step towards fulfilling PM Modi's vision to make Ladakh a carbon-neutral region. He shared that this step would help generate employment opportunities for locals and fulfill the aspirations of the people of Ladakh. This MoU is a step towards making Ladakh self-reliant in the energy/power sector. He also requested the UT Administration and LAHDC to further extend such solar projects to meet the needs of schools and hospitals at all levels.

Secretary, PDD & NRE, Ravinder Kumar shared that Ladakh can produce 33 GW of power, including 26 GW of solar power. He said that Ladakh has surplus power in the summer while there is a power deficit in the winter. He said that the project would reduce the dependency of Ladakh on the Northern Grid.

Speaking during the event, CMD SECI, Jatinder Nath Swain, described the MoU as a significant moment for the organisation. He shared that the MoU with UT Ladakh of 50 MW solar power is designed to produce 16MW power at a constant rate for 14 to 16 hours which would go a long way in securing energy independence for the region. He also highlighted that the MoU would open up avenues and will act as a test-bed for other developers and corporations, both private and public, to invest in Ladakh to tap the enormous potential of renewable energy in the form of solar and wind.