Itifaq Lone
Leh, Aug 01: The Central Government has recognized that providing round-the-clock electricity to all villages in Ladakh during the severe winter months remains a challenge, as solar power generation significantly declines.
In order to overcome the challenge, the Government of India (GoI) has planned massive Electricity upgrades with massive power projects to provide round the clock uninterrupted electricity in Ladakh.
The GoI acknowledged that not all villages in Ladakh have access to 24×7 electricity during the harsh winter months.
In a detailed written response to question asked by Member of Parliament, Mohammad Haneefa Jan in the Lok Sabha (LS), Minister of State for Power, Shripad Naik, highlighted the existing electrification strategies, ongoing infrastructure initiatives, and forward-looking energy plans tailored to the region’s unique and delicate climate.
Naik informed LS, “Nubra, Zanskar and Changthang regions are presently electrified through off-grid mode by small Hydro Electric projects, solar PV Plants, Diesel generators. In order to provide grid connectivity to these areas, 220 kV Nubra and Zanskar transmission line and 66 kV line from Himya to Nyoma and from Kharu to Durbuk is under construction.”
The Power Minister added that under RDSS, works amounting to Rs. 687 Crore have been sanctioned which include infrastructure works worth Rs 567 Crore for providing grid connectivity to Changthang Region. The works once executed would help in improving the quality and reliability of supply of power in the UT.
The Government informed that 335 KM, 220 kV Srinagar-Leh Transmission line is already completed and commissioned in 2019.
In order to further connect border areas with the national grid, more projects, works are under progress expected to be completed by October 2026 including; 220 kV Phyang-Disket (Nubra) transmission line: Out of 265 total towers, 90 towers have been erected and 224 tower foundations are ready. 17.67 KM stringing completed. And 220 kV Drass-Padum (Zanskar) transmission Line: Out of 675 total towers, 339 towers have been erected and 577 tower foundations are ready. 27.77 KM stringing completed.
Shripad informed the LS, Ladakh has reported projects for development of Renewable Energy, Storage Projects that include Development of 25 MW AC, 50 MWp Solar Power Plant with 40 MWh
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Taru with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). The work has been awarded and is under progress.
Also 7 MW Solar Project with 9 MWh BESS at Stakna Hydel Project site has been identified and bid is under process on RESCO model. And 1.5 MW (AC), 4.5 MW DC Solar Power project with 12 MWh BESS site in Nubra and 6 MW AC, with 12 MWh BESS Solar Power project in Zanskar on RESCO Model. The initiatives aim to improve power reliability in one of India’s most challenging terrains, with a long-term goal of ensuring uninterrupted electricity in all of Ladakh’s villages especially during winters.
Carbon-Neutral Energy Audits (CNEA) have not been conducted for Government Buildings and Defence establishments in the UT of Ladakh.
