The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop over 300 GW of large-scale renewable energy projects across DRDO establishments nationwide.

The projects will be set up on a build, own, and operate basis to enhance energy resilience and reliability across critical defense facilities.

SECI said it has already initiated preparatory activities for a 100 MW solar project at Chitradurga, Karnataka. The application for the project’s connectivity has been sent to the interstate transmission system. This project will supply power to various DRDO establishments across India once commissioned.

Commenting on the partnership, Akash Tripathi, IAS, Managing Director at SECI, said, “SECI is proud to partner with DRDO in this national endeavor to strengthen the defense sector’s energy independence through clean and reliable renewable energy solutions.”

Organizations under the Ministry of Defence are increasingly installing solar systems in their premises.

In September this year, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) issued a tender to develop a 1,000 kW grid-connected rooftop solar project at DRDO premises in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

In July, MES under the Chief Engineer, Bathinda Zone, issued a tender for the comprehensive operation and maintenance of a 5 MW solar project located across Suratgarh (2 MW), Sri Ganganagar (2 MW), and Kanasar (1 MW) in Rajasthan.

In April, MES, Eastern Command, Shillong Zone, invited bids to install rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 1,100 kW at Rangapahar Military Station in Nagaland. In May, it invited bids to install 1,100 kW rooftop solar systems atop buildings at the Jaipur Military Station.

In March, MES Chief Engineer Bathinda Zone invited bids for the operation and maintenance of two solar projects in Kanasar (1.02 MW) and Suratgarh (2 MW) in Rajasthan.

In January, NVVN issued a tender for an 8 MW grid-connected rooftop solar power project at the DRDO Hyderabad campus.

In the same month, NVVN issued tenders for the engineering, procurement, and construction of 4 MW grid-connected rooftop solar power projects at the DRDO campuses in Delhi and Bengaluru.