Ladakh Heading Towards Becoming the Capital of Renewable Energy

From Diesel to Solar: Ladakh Heading Towards Setting a National Benchmark in Clean Energy

Hemani Kandhari

July 9, 2025 – In the remote and rugged Himalayan terrain of Ladakh, a quiet transformation is taking place—one that could redefine how India approaches renewable energy in extreme geographies. With its thin air, harsh winters, and over 300 sunny days a year, Ladakh is positioning itself not just as a beneficiary of clean energy, but as a hub for India’s next-gen renewable transition.

Over the past few years, the Union Territory has launched a series of ambitious projects focused on solar, geothermal, and green hydrogen technologies, backed by collaborations with agencies like SECI, NTPC, and ONGC Energy Centre. The goal: to harness Ladakh’s unique topography and abundant sunlight to achieve carbon neutrality—and in the process, set a national benchmark.

From Harsh Landscape to Energy Innovation Zone

Traditionally dependent on diesel generators and energy imports, Ladakh is now aggressively transitioning to clean power sources. The administration, in partnership with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), has laid the groundwork for multiple high-impact solar installations, including:

A 11 GW Mega Solar Power Project at Pang, Changthang
A 25 MW AC and a 50 MWp solar plant with 40 MWh battery storage (BESS) at Taru
A 12 MW AC solar project at Phey, currently under execution

Additionally, 7 MW of rooftop solar capacity is being installed across government buildings, with two key utility-scale projects scheduled for commissioning by 2026.

Powering the Future with Hydrogen and Heat from the Earth

In a first for India, Ladakh is now experimenting with geothermal energy. The Puga Valley in the Changthang region—known for its natural hot springs—will soon host a 1 MW pilot project, developed in collaboration with the ONGC Energy Centre.

The UT has also partnered with NTPC for a Green Hydrogen Mobility Pilot, which is already in operation. A 1.7 MW solar plant powers a green hydrogen facility that fuels five fuel-cell-based electric buses, offering clean transport in Leh town.

People’s Power: Rooftops Rising Across Ladakh

The shift to renewable energy isn’t limited to large-scale projects. On the ground, residents are increasingly adopting rooftop solar systems—thanks in part to the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which is complemented by additional UT-level subsidies.

Under the scheme:

A 1 kWp rooftop plant gets ₹33,000 central assistance + ₹20,000 UT subsidy, 3 kWp system, ideal for households, is supported with up to ₹85,800 in total subsidies. This has made solar power highly affordable, and public interest has surged. Plans are underway to extend similar benefits to commercial establishments, potentially transforming local economies.

“Solar has become a household choice in Ladakh—not just because it’s clean, but because it’s cheaper and more reliable than diesel,” said an official from the Power Development Department, Ladakh.

Roadmap to 2030: Scaling and Saturation

By 2026, the administration targets completion of the Taru and Phey solar plants. Other identified projects include:

• 7 MW at Stakn, adjacent to a hydel site
• 6 MW in Padum, Zanskar
• 140 MW at Rinam Karsha, Zanskar

The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) has already tendered the green corridor transmission lines for the 11 GW Pang solar park—marking a significant step toward grid integration.

What sets Ladakh apart is its goal to achieve 100% solar saturation in:

| All government buildings

• All domestic consumers in Leh town
• Eventually, commercial units and remote villages National Relevance: A Model for India

Ladakh’s experiment is more than a local success—it offers a replicable model for remote, off-grid, or climate-sensitive regions across India. By embracing RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) models, encouraging community participation, and adopting technologies like BESS and green hydrogen, Ladakh has placed itself at the cutting edge of India’s clean energy map.

“These subsidies are helping reduce electricity bills and increase adoption among local communities,” said an official from the Power Development Department, Ladakh.

Collaborating Agencies Driving the Transition:

Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD)
LREDA (Leh) & KREDA (Kargil)
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
NTPC Ltd.
ONGC Energy Centre (OEC)
PGCIL for transmission infrastructure

As the rest of the country looks to reduce emissions and meet renewable targets, Ladakh may very well offer the playbook for sustainable development in India’s most remote corners—a place where the sun powers the snow.

Located at a high altitude, Ladakh receives intense and direct sunlight year-round — so much so that tourists often experience sunburn during their visits and are advised to carry high-SPF sunscreen. Now, that same abundant solar radiation is being put to the right use, as the region harnesses it for clean and sustainable energy generation.