In a major step towards clean and sustainable energy, the Ministry of Defence and the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) will jointly set up a solar power plant of around three megawatt capacity in the Lucknow Cantonment.

The electricity generated from the plant will be supplied to the Lucknow Cantonment Board as well as to military units through the Military Engineering Service (MES). Once operational, solar power will be used to light parks, hospitals, government buildings, schools and streetlights under the Cantonment Board, significantly reducing dependence on conventional electricity.

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An agreement has been reached between the Cantonment Board and UPNEDA for the installation of the solar plant, and a key meeting related to the project is expected to be held soon. Officials said the plant will be set up on vacant land belonging to the Cantonment Board at Ghosiana.

Currently, the Cantonment Board spends nearly Rs 19 lakh every month on electricity bills for street lighting alone. With the solar project, the Board will generate power for its own requirements and also supply electricity to the MES for military areas, leading to substantial savings.

The Cantonment Board, which functions as a municipal body under the Ministry of Defence, provides civic services such as sanitation, healthcare and education to both military and civilian areas within the cantonment.

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In addition to Lucknow, preparations are underway to install solar power plants in all 13 cantonments of Uttar Pradesh, including Kanpur and Shahjahanpur. A meeting between senior officials of the Central Command Defence Estates and UPNEDA, along with CEOs of the cantonments, is scheduled later this month to take the proposal forward.