State-Owned CESL, Ladakh Sign MoU To Make The UT Carbon Neutral

State-owned Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) has signed a pact with the administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh for making it carbon-neutral, stated a PTI report.

CESL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ladakh Administration to make it a clean and green UT, CESL reportedly said in the statement.

Various clean energy and energy-efficiency programmes will be implemented under the said MoU.

"Beginning with a pilot in the Zanskar valley area, CESL will take up solar mini and micro grid solutions, energy efficient lighting, energy storage-based solutions, efficient cooking stoves and electric mobility solutions in the UT.

"CESL will build the EV ecosystem for the UT, focusing on EV charging infrastructure which will utilise renewable sources of power, and electric vehicles that are being tested for high altitudes," the company said.

Like all CESL's projects, this programme too will be based on innovative business models, using carbon credits.

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur said in the statement, "Energy Access for Ladakh is foremost. We need sustainable solutions such as the decentralised energy-efficient solutions that can be implemented in the difficult terrains of Ladakh."

The government looks forward to the earliest implementation of innovative models and support in terms of solutions in decentralised irrigation and drinking water, he added.

"The Administration of UT of Ladakh will support CESL with investment in projects, including the pilot, and will also assist in business development of various clean energy and sustainability programmes of Convergence.

"Based on the feasibility and outcomes of the programme in Zanskar, other areas will be assigned to CESL. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil or Leh, will provide the requisite land in respective council areas, for the implementation of the clean energy projects," the company added.

Ladakh Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said, "Collaborating with CESL is a welcome and much-needed development for the UT of Ladakh."

With IANS Inputs