Greening the Ranks: Narengi Military Station's Renewable Revolution

As part of this endeavour, the Army has recently implemented a solar energy plant with a capacity of 1 MW (Mega Watt) at the military station, aiming to provide sustainable and clean power to support the troops.

Army officials have disclosed their intention to expand the solar energy plant at Narengi Military Station to a capacity of 3 MW. Furthermore, they emphasised the utilisation of 'Make in India' solar panels in the initial installation of the green solar energy plant.

The Army recognises that renewable energy sources, such as water, wind, and solar power, offer sustainable alternatives. They are actively seeking a reliable power supply for high-altitude locations to improve the living conditions of their personnel.

Additionally, they have implemented a Real-Time Data Acquisition and Parameter Monitoring system to analyse daily power generation. This system includes various weather parameter sensors such as wind direction, wind speed, solar radiation, humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure sensors. The current solar energy plant has successfully generated an approximate power output of 0.7 MW.

Major General RK Jha, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 51 Sub Area at Narengi, has said that the Army has initiated the establishment of a solar power plant with a capacity of 1 MW.

‘We have taken various steps in making solar power plant of 1 MW capacity. In step two, we are going to use our rooftops to put solar panels and we will use them for our own consumption. Our carbon footprint is very minimal. We also undertake lots of plantation drives. The Narengi Military Station has covered around 3,300 acres of land and out of which only 300 acres are built up and 3,000 acres is a green patch. In collaboration with the Assam forest department, we do the large-scale tree plantation using our own troops, their families, children,’ Major Jha said, adding, ‘If we have to go completely green we need to harness solar and wind and use new technology.’

Jha further said, ‘Our endeavour is to achieve as much reduction of carbon footprint. I think that in the next 5 to 10 years we should definitely achieve 50% more reduction of carbon footprint.’