The Centre’s show-stopping solar power project in Ladakh is having trouble getting off the ground.
Even while the initial plan continues to stutter over land difficulties, the government announced an increase in the capacity of the projected mega solar power plant to 10,000 MW, along with 5,000 MW solar power storage. Besides it, 3,000 MW wind farm also be the part of this project.
A person from Times of India familiar with the situation stated, “Every time a parcel is finalized some new issue is raised.” The presence of a water body was “found” in a parcel of land in the Pang region after it was finalized based on satellite mapping in the most recent case.
The initial plan was for a photovoltaic system with a capacity of 7,500 megawatts, distributed about 70:30 between Leh and Kargil districts. However, the geography of Kargil’s Zanskar area, where a 2,500 MW transmission line was to be built, was deemed to be unsuitable for the transmission line. The project was then relocated to Leh, with 5,000 MW packages in the Hanle-Khaldo and Pang areas.
Battery storage was added to amend the design to avoid the need for two 900-kilometer transmission lines, as opposed to a single line in the original concept, to accommodate the extra capacity.
In an interview, the Power and Renewable Energy Minister Mr. R K Singh stated, “During the day, part of the solar power will be used to charge the batteries, which will feed the northern grid during evening peak hours. This will save transmission costs.”
Even with the initial specifications, the project was one of the world’s largest solar projects at such height. The new layout would set it apart and increase the investment possibilities much above the initial estimate of Rs 45,000 crore.
A committee was formed in March with the goal of locating encumbrance-free property and submitting a report within a month. Initially, 25,000 acres of land in the Hanle-Khaldo area was set aside for the project’s Leh component.
Following the wildlife department’s concerns, it has now been reduced to 20,000 acres. Villagers are concerned about the loss of grazing land but are not opposing to the proposal. 22,000 acres of non-grazing land have been found in the Pang region, 185 kilometers southeast of Leh on the route to Manali.
But this too has fallen foul over the presence of a water body and SECI has been asked to apply afresh for alternative land, the report said.
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