With 7-MW solar power plant, Pune’s CME is India’s first carbon negative garrison

The first phase of the 7-MW solar power plant was undertaken with the commissioning of a 2-MW solar power plant in 2021 fulfilling the daytime energy requirements of the CME. The commissioning of the 5-MW plant in the second phase has been key in achieving the objective of ‘National Solar Mission under Government of India. Success of the project has paved the way for other formations and tri-services establishments to become carbon negative in the future, officials said.

The CME said in a press statement on Thursday that apart from annual fiscal savings of Rs 6.5 crore to the national exchequer, the 5-MW plant connected to the Maharashtra State Electricity Grid makes it possible for the power generated at CME to be consumed at National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla, Command Hospital Pune, Military Hospital Khadki and Bombay Engineer Group and Centre, Khadki, spread across the city of Pune, thus further ensuring achieving of ‘National Clean Air Programme’ by reducing dependency on conventional thermal power plants.

“With commissioning of a 5-MW solar power plant, the CME has become a completely carbon negative garrison — a first in India which is an impressive feat,” the press statement said.

The carbon negative refers to an entity emitting less than zero carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) greenhouse gasses, effectively. Emitting a negative amount of carbon being carbon negative refers to the net emissions of the entity by offsetting more carbon, through processes like carbon capture, sequestration and avoidance, than the entity contributes to the environment.